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unmaskedagain · 4 years

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Journal entries from a (Fashion) Princess

Marinette always knew she had two sisters. She also knew her a dad was a bit of slut, so she probably had more.

Phillipe, that was, her birthfather. Not Tom.

She had an older sister name Mia, who was almost thirteen-years-older than her. And she had a little sister named Olivia, who was just two years younger, at just twelve-years-old.

Each of the three girls had a different mother; born in different cities or countries, and had grown up mostly without each other. Mia and Oliva had met over a year ago, and immediately Olivia’s life had changed. She didn’t know if either knew about her but she was happy to know she had sisters.

Something Marinette wasn’t sure she wanted or was even ready for.

Her Papa, Phillipe, made it clear that whatever happened would be Marinette’s choice. There was no pressure.

However, that turned out to all be for naught when King Phillipe of Genovia is doing a conference on his go-green plans. Marinette had just gotten ready to go a party, her best friends: Chloe, Aurore, and Kagami were taking her too. When she stopped to watch the televised coverage. Then someone asks him about his daughter.

To which King Phillipe laughs, “Which one; I have three!”

Dead silence from the reporters.

It was a slip. Marinette knew it was a slip. But unfortunately, one little slip would have massive fallout.

Then a brave reporter asks, “Did you just say three?”

And was when Marinette knew her life was over.

“Yes,” The king nodded, his face a bit red, knowing all his daughters were planning regicide for different reasons. “I have three daughters. Mia, Oliva, and Marinette. Marinette is fourteen. She is beautiful and has my blue eyes. She lives with her mother in France. And if she is watching this, she is not happy right now.”

There were nervous laughs.

Within an hour, her picture was on the news. Turns out, there weren’t many fourteen-year-olds with named Marinette. Why couldn’t her parents name her Sarah or something?

And then it was official…

Marinette Madaeline Mignonette Dupain-Cheng-Renaldo was a princess. And everyone knew it.

Her parents assured her that everything would be fine. Marinette didn’t think so, not with the way her phone was blowing up. Most calls and texts were from people who hadn’t been her friends in over a year.

Security showed up before the paparazzi could. Her Papa showed up not long after, followed by three irate look females.

The oldest was a grey-haired, severe woman, Marinette knew from picture to be her Grandmere. A queen and a renowned snob.

Mia, a pretty fair skinned woman with high cheek bones and a soft smile on her face when she looked at Marinette was the ideal of look of what celebrities everywhere deemed effortless high-fashion.

Olivia, a brown-skinned girl with a lovely heart-shaped face and the same cheekbones of her sister, had the most beautiful hair Marinette had ever seen. It was all soft curls that seemed wild and tamed all at once. She wore a deep purple sundress and a hopeful expression on her face.

They looked like true royalty. And Marinette…

Marinette had never been so glad she forgot to take off her party clothes. She wore a silver, lacy dress that touched her knees and gave her an elegant look. Her hair, longer than it had been in quite some time, was fell across her shoulders in waves and the top of her dark hair was braided into a crown with little blue forget-me-nots in it. She had on the make-up Chloe recommend, black stockings, and black tie-up sandals.

Marinette blushed lightly and glanced down. This was the wrong thing to do.”

“Princess keep their eyes up,” Queen Clarisse Renaldo immediately instructed. “They are not commoners. Look at me,” She ordered. Marinette did. “Straighten up your back. You have good posture but need more confidence. Pretty face, nicely done make-up, I assume you were leaving before the… incident.”

Marinette nodded, “Yes, grandmère.” She kept her chin raised. “I was invited to a… social event,” She adlibbed. “When I was made aware of the… development.”

Clarisse hummed, “Lovely dress; keen eye for fashion. Your older sister could’ve used your assistance when she was age. She dressed like a man and had the posture of a chimp. I will not even mention the catastrophe that had been her hair.”

Mia took a deep breath, forced a smile on her face, “I’m Mia. I am so happy to meet you, Marinette. It seems like every year I find out I have new sister,” She shot the last part at her father, who had the good sense to blush in embarrassment. “You look lovely. I hope your plans for evening were not too important.”

“Nothing that I cannot afford to miss,” Marinette said politely. “I have already sent my regards to the host.”

Clarisse eyed her newest granddaughter in approval, then cast a look of disdain at her son, “This one has manners and know proper etiquette. The first one didn’t have manners.” She tutted. “That is what happens when an artist raises a princess.”

Both Phillipe and Mia sighed.

“The first one is standing right here,” Mia sniped.

“So the third one,” Oliva jumped in, no longer able to wait properly for her introduction. “I am Olivia. I have another sister. You so pretty. Did you always live in Paris? Do you like it? Where did you get you dress? It’s gorgeous! May I hug you?”

“One question at a time,” Clarisse chastised her youngest, and not-so secretly favorite, grandchild.

Marinette laughed. “Yes, I was born in raised in Paris. I love it. I made the dress myself. Yes, you may hug me.”

That was all it took for Oliva to launch her at Marinette, “She smells like jasmine flowers” Oliva said excitedly. “And apples.”

“You design that dress?” Mia asked curiously looking her over. “It is quite beautiful.”

“Yes,” Queen Clarisse said. “It is.”

Sabine stepped forward, “Marinette has loved designing since she was a child. It’s passion of hers. Like having a normal life,” She growled at Phillipe, who took a hasty step back, wondering why he was so attracted to clearly dangerous women.

“Oh please, she’s never been normal,” Clarisse huffed. “She was born a princess. She will die a princess. She will the rest of her days as a princess. Now, onto important, matters when will Marinette be moving to Genovia?”

The fight that started between two over protective bakers over their daughter and a Dowager Queen, while a King was forced to mediate was legendary.

It got to the point where Mia decided it was best to remove the children from the area, before someone found out Queen Clarisse had a mean right hook. Escorted by security, Mia led her sisters through the flashing lights of the paparazzi, to the limo and then onto get ice cream.

The girls took their time as they slowly got to know each other better. The sisters laughed and joked. They learned about their lives before they knew they were princess. Mia and Oliva talked about life afterward.

“You still have to deal with mean girls?” Marinette asked exasperated.

“Bullies?” Olivia groaned. “I’ve had them all my life. I deal with a Luisa.”

“Lila,” Marinette rolled her eyes.

“Lana,” Mia added. “Girls with L names obviously just don’t like us.”

They laughed. As they road back home in the limo. They each told how they dealt with their own bulling before and after princesshood.

Mia befriended hers. Lana a ruthless bully at the start of high school became her best friend by the end it. While in the middle, her best friend Lily became her lead bully for a while until they worked things out. However before the peace, there was a lot of war. Marinette was honest as she relayed how she didn’t always handle it maturely.

Olivia had had turned Luisa into a frenemy of sorts. They both liked and disliked each other. Luisa had a mean since of humor and was very bratty but could be intelligent at times. It was hard but Olivia had admitted she’d been peer pressured into far too many things to prove herself.

Marinette quietly relayed how a Liar named Lila Rossi turned all her friends against her and left Marinette nearly friendless. How a boy named Adrien, left her to rot after promising to defend her. How her best friend Alya turned into a nasty, acid-spitting girl who had no problem ruining Marinette things or tripping her for her “bullying” Lila. Marinette said she just cut her losses. She found better friends who would remain loyal. How her once greatest bully Chloe, and her once rival in love, Kagami became her best friends. They, and Aurore helped her stop being everyone’s doormat, take time for herself, and start charging for commissions.

By the end of the trip, Marinette decided it felt really good to have sister. She didn’t know why Alya complained so much.

When Marinette got home, she learned that all her parents and her grandmother had come to an agreement. Marinette would finish out the school year, with a bodyguard, and spend the summer in Genovia. Then at the end of summer, Marinette would decide what she would like to do from there. No one looked happy about the arrangement.

Marinette knew there weren’t many weeks of school left. She wondered how long it would take for her to die of embarrassment from having to be escorted by a bodyguard. Was this how Adrien felt? Or was he just used to it. All in all, she was dreading Monday.

The weekend passed quicker than she would’ve liked. The paparazzi remained outside the bakery. Princess Marinette was all the news was talking about. Nadja had come over to beg for an exclusive only to be shown the door by Sabine. Marinette had only replied to her friend calls and texts; just to let them know she was alright and yes, she was in fact a princess. They’d talk on Monday.

On Monday morning, Ophelia, a beautiful blond woman with grey eyes and a sharp chin, and Rosette, a lovely brunette with large doe-eyes and brown skinned, Marinette’s bodyguards, drove her to school, walked her through the crowd of people gathered to see a real Princess, through the school, and to class. Both women were prior Genovian military black ops. One woman would guard the hall, while the other stayed close to Marinette in class.

Speaking of class, it was quiet when she entered. Most of the students were already there. Chloe and Kagami, her only friends in class, were the only ones she cared about. Chloe was to greet her.

“Dupain-Cheng!” Chloe barked. “I knew there was something off about you. A princess, you’ve could told me.”

“Dupain-Cheng-Renaldo,” Marinette corrected. “And no I couldn’t.”

“Princess Marinette,” Kagami greeted with a head bow. “My mother, while honored, was quite frazzled to learn a princess visited our home without proper preparation.”

Marinette winced. Kagami’s mom was intense to say the least. “Please call me Marinette, both of you.” She added to Chloe who realized she had made an error when greeting Marinette and had wide eyes. “This is my bodyguard, Ophelia,” She introduced the blond woman. “I have another, Rosette, outside the door. They will be with me for the rest of my education.”

Chloe shrugged as the girls took their seats. Ophelia claimed an empty chair and a spot behind Marinette.

“Do you have a tiara?” Chloe asked. “Does it sparkle?”

Marinette giggled. Yes, she did have tiara. It was the first thing her grandmere presented to her as a gift. “I do. And its shines like starlight.”

Chloe squealed, “I have one too, with blue diamonds.”

That didn’t surprise with of the other girls. They always knew Chloe thought of herself as a princess.

The three girls settled into pleasant conversation, ignoring the looks the other students were send them, as they waited for the bell to ring. This pleasantness of course was ruined when Alya and Lila walked into to class. Both immediately started drama.

Alya glared at Marinette, “How could you not tell me? A princess, for real? I thought we were friends!”

“Since when?” Marinette retorted. “You ended our friendship remember?”

Alya huffed, feeling a bit put out. She had hoped when she saw the news that Marinette would give her the exclusive because of their friendship. Then, she remembered that she wasn’t friends with the other girl anymore. Still, she remembered, Marinette was a forgiving person, she thought she could use that. “I’m still your best friend.”

“No, you’re not,” Marinette sighed. “Kagami, Chloe, and Aurore are my best friends. Aurore will be getting a personal interview from me.”

Then it was clear to everyone; forgiveness wasn’t coming. This caused Adrien to wince at his father had requested that he bring Marinette to visit and perhaps secure an endorsement deal. It was going to be hard to explain just why he couldn’t. Or why he sided with entire class and an obvious liar. Over an actual Marinette. But how was he supposed to know she was someone important, let alone a princess?

Lila smiled prettily, jealously flashing in her eyes, “Princess Marinette; keeping such a secret must have been horrible. I couldn’t have kept it that long.”

“You couldn’t have kept it a minute,” Chloe retorted.

Lila ignored the blond girl, “You know I have plenty of experience dealing with royalty. I could help you get used to it. My mother is an ambassador.”

This time it was Ophelia who answered, she glared at the girl, “I’ve done extensive background on everyone in this school. Your mother was only recently named an ambassador, before that she was the assistant of the last one. You, however, stayed with your aunt during while your mother left on any business travels. There is no evidence of interaction with anyone of note. I do not make mistakes.”

“And Lila,” Marinette hummed. “I was born a princess. I’ll die a princess. I will always be a princess. I don’t need you.”

#ml salt #marinette dupen chang #Marinette deserves better #class salt #alya salt

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wehavethoughts · 3 years

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Jingle Jangle Review!

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey David E. Talbert (2020) Netflix Original Movie Fantasy, Holiday, Musical, Children’s Movie

Rating: 5/5 Waves

“I think it’s time for a new story.” – Journey

This review CONTAINS spoilers for Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

Summary: Jeronicus Jangle is a genius toymaker who has everything he’s ever wanted until betrayal and tragedy strike and rip away his magic and inspiration. Jingle Jangle follows his journey with his bright, spunky granddaughter to finding his way out of darkness and towards family, love and inspiration.

No content warnings apply for Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

Last year was a mess and 2021 is already on thin ice, but one of the best things to happen to me this season was my girlfriend sitting me down and convincing me to watch Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey. While the trailer looked fun, especially since it was a musical Christmas story featuring a primarily black cast, I hadn’t prioritized watching it. I tend to feel that everything has already been made when it comes to Christmas movies and I don’t want or need another retelling of the same stories. If I need a bump of Christmas spirit around the holidays, I indulge in a classic and move on. Fortunately for me, she wanted to watch it and we needed a Christmas Eve movie.

I loved so much about this movie that I could write tens of thousands of words singing its praises, but I wouldn’t do that to you, so I will narrow my praises to the most important parts of this movie to me. At the top of the list is just how good this movie looks.

Jingle Jangle is one of the most visually appealing movies I’ve ever seen. From the set to the costumes to the choreography, every single shot of this movie was pleasing to the eye. The clothing was sharp and colorful in a way that I expected to get on my nerves, but it ended up stunning. Costume designer Michael Wilkinson described the fashion as “Afro Victorian”. The characters’ hairstyles are another part of the costuming that stood out. They were creative and fun while also adding dimension to the characters’ looks. And let me just take a minute to personally thank the creators of Jingle Jangle for allowing all of these black characters to have natural hair. I have never seen that in a movie and it almost made me cry. Both the clothing and the hairstyles mirrored the characters’ arcs and added depth to the narrative.

The beauty of this movie can mostly be attributed to its fabulous designers, but I also want to point out that everything looked and felt fabulously expensive. I could not find the budget of Jingle Jangle in USD, but with every set piece, CGI shot, song and outfit you could tell that someone who loved this project spent a whole lot of money on it. It is refreshing to see a story like this getting the financial backing to do it properly.

The visuals were so stunning, in fact, that even if the actual story had been terrible, I would still have been happy to just sit and watch it on mute. Fortunately, Jingle Jangle’s story was phenomenal; heartwarming and inspiring with just enough humor to keep it light without feeling overly juvenile. It also had such meaningful emotional themes that I cried at least three times (in a good way).

The emotional core of this movie is the relationship between Jeronicus and his granddaughter Journey. Jeronicus is a grumpy, disillusioned inventor who abandoned his aspirations after achieving his dreams lead to nothing but betrayal and heartache. Journey is a bright, talented child who wants to learn from her brilliant grandfather, but she realizes she has to reignite his belief in himself first. The story centers around belief in the impossible, like most Christmas stories, but instead of asking the audience to believe in something like Santa Claus, Jingle Jangle reminds the audience to believe in themselves and their own abilities. Personally, I’ve never felt more inspired than when a small child belted about how “The square root of impossible is me!” The story digs into how depression can destroy a person’s creativity and inspiration and sometimes what we need is other people believing in us so we can be reminded to believe in ourselves.

My whole deal is reviewing fantasy though, so I feel like I should mention magic. Like most things in the movie it is very pretty to look at. When Jeronicus and Journey use their magic it is glittery, dazzling and very obviously a metaphor for imagination and creativity. Personally, these characters could have probably just have been very smart, but having a visual to see them thinking in new and exciting ways was nice. Math-but-its-glowing as a magic system is not something I’ve seen much of recently, but I know just enough math words to delight in what is coming out of these character’s mouths when they talk about their inventions. This might be a difficult movie for haters of math or people who study it for a living. If hearing characters say things like, “Belief! It collapsed the wave function.” and “Take the circumference of spectacular, divided by the second derivative of sensational…” is a deal breaker for you, then maybe skip this movie.

Also, I should note that this movie is a musical. This came as a surprise to us the first time we watched it, but luckily we love musicals. The first time the music swelled and Jeronicus started singing we were swept away by the magic of the moment, delightfully surprised and in awe of the musical talent. Every single song in this movie is energetic, fun and refreshingly Black. Director David E. Talbert said that he was inspired by southern soul and gospel music as well as Afrobeat and other primarily black genres. The mix of inspiration creates joyful and fresh new songs for the holiday season.

As a whole this movie got my highest rating because the things I love about it outweigh the flaws. That being said, there are a couple pieces of the story that either didn’t make sense or it feels like they did not think all the way through. First of all, the main conflict revolves around the villain Don Juan, a toy matador who has been given sentience through Jeronicus’s miraculous inventions, not wanting to be mass produced. While the story tries to convince us that the conflict revolves around Don Juan’s narcissism, if you think about this plot point too hard you realize that our protagonist plans to mass produce and sell his creations that are clearly alive and intelligent. Obviously the movie doesn’t dig into the ethics of this, since Don Juan is more concerned about not being one-of-a-kind rather than worried that he is going to be bought and sold as a commodity, but it is a concerning angle that implies some very uncomfortable things about this universe.

Another piece that I found falls apart when you think about it too hard is the framing of the story within a story. Jingle Jangle is told a bedtime story being read by a grandmother to her grandchild (similar to the Princess Bride). The first scenes introduce us to a couple of cute kids who ask their grandmother for a Christmas story and in opening the book we get some spectacular CGI and animation to introduce us to Jeronicus’s world. While there is nothing inherently wrong with this method of storytelling, I found it to be unnecessary since the children listening to the story and the grandmother don’t add much as independent characters. Unfortunately, the story seemed to feel the need to justify these characters’ existence and so in a big reveal at the end we discover that the grandmother is Journey, Jeronicus’s granddaughter.

While seeing Journey with her grandchildren is cute, it leads to questions that I personally did not need to have at the end of this otherwise tied up narrative. For example, the children seem to have never heard of Jeronicus Jangle, Don Juan or Buddy 3000 (another important toy character), yet we are meant to believe that Jeronicus’s story happened in the universe that the children live in? Why wouldn’t they know stories about their rich and famous great-great-grandfather? Why had they never heard of Jeronicus Jangle when it is implied that the toys they have grown up with would have been his or his family’s inventions? By making the children related to the people in the story, the writers distracted me from Jeronicus and Journey whose story is much more interesting and heartwarming. Jingle Jangle is a movie that asks me to think and reflect, so I don’t feel bad poking holes in the story, but I don’t love that they left me hanging with all these questions.

Additionally, there are also some things that I wish the writers hadn’t included in the movie at all. For example, they fridged Jeronicus’s wife almost immediately which was completely unnecessary and I hated to see that in a movie that got so many other things right. Also, having the only obviously Hispanic character (Don Juan Diego) be the villain in such a cartoon-y way left a bad taste in my mouth.

But Jingle Jangle still got my highest rating because as the sum of its parts, it was a fantastic story and I am so glad I got the chance to watch it. My very favorite part of this movie that has stuck with me even weeks after my first viewing is the relationship between Jeronicus and his family. There are sections of this movie where Jeronicus falls into the stereotypical absentee black father trope, but this story allows his character space to talk about what he did wrong, how he is hurting and Jeronicus learns to do better which is so important. I love the current trend in movies where parents apologize to their children because that can be such a healing experience and Jingle Jangle gives us that, but additionally, it makes the parent work for it and prove to their child that they are healing themselves. It offers hope to children struggling through painful situations like this and give parents an example of how they might be able to fix what they broke.

Overall, Jingle Jangle left me with a feeling of joy and contentment while inspiring me to remember what I used to love and rethink my self-imposed limits. The core message of this movie is a reminder that sometimes our lack of belief in our own skills is enough to stop us from achieving our dreams. Jingle Jangle reminds us to believe in our own capacity and lift each other up even when times are difficult. I don’t know if this movie will become a classic in the general consciousness, but it will certainly become a tradition in my family.

~TideMod

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mysteryofren · 4 years

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So happy together (ben solo x reader au)

Chapter 2

Chapter 1

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You got up at about 10 am. You've set a sort of routine for the first day of break. You get up, and take an extremely long shower. You blast your music and sing loudly while you shower not worrying about the hot water running out for the next person. Then when you're done you take a walk off campus to get breakfast at the cute little diner you and Elaine discovered about 2 years ago. When you walk in you see the only other person that stays during breaks. Armitage Hux. you've interacted with him a couple times. You wonder if you guys could be friends if he wasn't so uptight. You both stay for different reasons. He hates his parents, and yours don’t care enough to spend time with you.

He looks up and sees you giving you a sort of half smile while he waves motioning for you to come over. You're glad someone wants to interact with you but Armitage wanting to spend time with anyone is always suspicious. As you walk over you think of everytime you've ever spoken to hux. Yup. your memory serves your right, this is the first time you've seen him remotely smile. It's. worrying. Were you guys friends and nobody told you? Oh stars was he going to kill you?

“Hey Hux. how's it going?” you say nervously.

“Please Y/N sit. I have amazing news” amazing? That's a word you thought wasn't in this man's vocabulary, yet you sit out of curiosity.

“what do you usually order? it's on me, before you deny it i insist consider it a thank you”

“Thank me? Why would you need to do that?” you ask. The waitress comes over and greets you. You come here enough that she knows your name and what you order. She also looks confused as to why you're sitting with Hux. she takes down your usual order and struts off.

“ My grades are exceptional enough that the school is allowing me to graduate early, so after this year I will no longer be attending the school.” he beams as he explains

“Hux that's absolutely amazing, but why the hell would you need to thank me?”

“Well miss Kenobi, had we not partnered up on every single project since freshman year I most likely would have been placed with some of our schools finest half-wits. Luckily you take your work as seriously as I do and because of that I will no longer be stuck here an extra year.”

“well, uh, thank you i guess. Honestly i feel like you shouldn't thank me i mean you're super smart i'm sure i played no part in this”

“Of course you have. We always studied for tests together and worked on projects. Without that i might have been an average student rather than an above average student. I hope we can remain friends after i've gone.”

So you were friends. Armitage Hux. just called you. His friend. Someone he only ever saw when it came to studying. You didn't know whether to be happy because you had another friend, or to be sad because hux considered that friendship. Either way it was confusing, but you were happy for him nonetheless. Now that you think about it maybe you guys were friends. You two continued talking. He informed you that he would be attending Magdalen College like his parents did. How can someone who hates their parents as much as he did still want to honor their legacy? Strange dude. You guys skimmed over classes for next semester and got a head start on ideas for projects. Eventually you two finished up, he got the check and you two got up to leave.

“Thank you for joining me this morning, it was nice not having to eat alone.” he said. You looked at him and saw a sort of sadness.

“You know hux we don't have to only hang out because of school related things, we can just hang out and do other things.”

“Oh you mean like what me and Phasma do.” I guess you could call sitting around in silence hanging out.

“Yeah exactly. Anyways I'm here the next two weeks too so if you need anything you have my number.”

He looked shocked for a second. “I would very much love to, but unfortunately I'm leaving today, father is taking me to the college for a tour. He thinks it will be good to know how things work over there before I arrive.”

Now you were the shocked one. His father? Armitage hux was going on a trip with his father and nobody else? Most importantly you were going to be the only person in the entire school for two whole weeks?

“Oh cool. Well we can always hang when you get back.”

“Most certainly, do you need a ride back to your dorm?”

“Nah, I enjoy the walk besides I've gotta head to the dean's office to help him with something.”

You both say your goodbyes, and you watch as he gets in his car and drives off. How is it that he's even seeing his parents for the holidays? Maybe you should call and see what yours are doing. You pull out your phone and find your mother's number. You have a better chance getting a hold of her than your father. Your finger hovers above the call button as you internally debate about calling them. What if they're busy? What if they've already left for vacation? Or worse. What if they invite you to go with them? No. They would never. You press the call button and listen to see if someone answers.

Just as you suspected. It went straight to voicemail. You might as well.

“Hello mother,” you say hating that you’re doing this.”I was just calling to see what you and father have been up to. I know we usually call on christmas, but i was just thinking about you guys. Have you guys been doing okay? How is the business doing? School is going good. Things are. Good. I miss you guys. I hope you guys miss me too. bye “

You hang up wanting to cry. They couldn't even answer their phone for their daughter? What kind of bullshit is that? You start walking and thinking. You miss your family. You would go home, but there's no point everyones so busy that they can't be bothered. You try to think if there's anyone that cares. Then you remember there is. You Go through your contacts again. You dial a number you should definitely dial more.

“Hello there.” you hear almost immediately.

“Hello pop pop.” you say trying to hide the fact that you were on the verge of tears.

“What a lovely surprise to be receiving a call from you! How are things? I assume youre schooling in the republic is going well.”

“Yes, it's going really well. I'm in the top 1% of my class, and I'm ahead in all my classes.”

“That's absolutely wonderful my dear. I imagine it's kept you busy.

“It has.”

“Maybe even too busy to call your old pop pop from time to time?”

“I'm sorry, I just assume you're always too busy for me, like mother and father.”

You heard a slightly over dramatic gasp, “Me? Too busy for my darling granddaughter? I will never be too busy for you my dear.”

You two laugh and catch up for a few minutes. He lets you know that he has in fact seen your parents. As recent as yesterday. So they are in town. They just don't care. The thought saddens you again, but then your grandfather brings you out of your thoughts.

“Listen i'm leaving town for a few days but i'll be back for christmas. Will I be seeing you?”

“Of course, if you're in town i'd love to see you so i can give you your gift in person for once”

“Then it is settled christmas eve i'll pick you up from your dorm and you'll stay the night at my house. I'm having guests over the next day but Christmas eve will be our day my dear.”

You could practically hear his smile over the phone. Why don't you call more?

“Perfect, I'll see you then.”

“Alright i've got to go, but i love you, and i'm so proud of how well you've been doing in school.”

“I love you too pop pop. thank you.”

You both hang up as you approach the dean's office. You take a moment to make sure you no longer look like you're about to burst into tears at any minute. You love your grandfather. The problem is he's as busy as your parents, and you're essentially trained not to bother them or anyone else for that matter. After you've made time to make yourself presentable. You look at your phone and see you're about 20 minutes early. You look in your bag and bring out your most recent read. You don't necessarily enjoy reading. You just know it helps with brain activity or whatever it was that Professor Dooku had said when he recommended you read more. This one you were into though. It was a book on paganism throughout history, you wouldn't say you're a religious person, but you do enjoy learning about other cultures. About 15 minutes go by when you decide to finally go in.

You walk down the long hall and make your way upstairs to where Mr.Skywalkers office was. You know he prefers Luke, but it seems so weird calling the dean of your school by his real name. Whether he's been around your whole life or not. You see the door to his office and gently knock on the door. You hear him tell you to enter and you slowly open the door.

“Ah, Y/N thank you again for doing this, but you know you could have come up as soon as you arrived, yes?”

“Sorry sir I didn't know if you were busy or not.”

“Nonsense i'm never busy for a friend,” he smiles as he motions for you to sit.”please have a seat Ben should be here any moment.”

Ben, so that was his name. “Yes sir.”

“So I heard you're spending Christmas with your grandfather, is this true?”

“Yes sir, how'd you hear about it so quick? i only talked to him about it about 30 minutes ago.”

“I was on the phone with him when you called. He told me he would call me back when he was done talking to you. You really are his favorite grandchild, you know that right?”

“I never considered myself anyone's favorite anything really.” so he was busy when you called. Not only was he busy but he stopped what he was doing to talk to you? You were his favorite grandchild? You were positive it was your cousin.

“You're the only one that calls more than once a year and you want to spend time with him? Of course you're his favorite, he just won't say it out loud. Anyways, he called back and was so happy to let me know you wouldn't be spending the holiday alone for once.”

That thought made you feel warm inside. Someone in your family was upset about the thought of you being alone? You never would have guessed. You always figured that everyone had put the family in the back of their head. Your grandfather would never though, He loves his family so much it makes you wonder how your father ended up ignoring his so much. Now you definitely have to spend Christmas with him. Maybe even new years if he's able.

You hear the door open behind you, and you hear Mr.Skywalker's voice.

“Here he is. Ben, I'd like you to meet Y/N. She's going to be showing you around today.”

You stood up and turned around to greet Ben when you stopped. He was tall. Definitely over 6 feet. And he was beautiful. Dark floppy hair, with dark alluring eyes to match, he had these little freckles that went across his face, and his nose. It was wide, not one that would be considered attractive but somehow he made it look like the most beautiful thing in the world. Above all though, the thing that got you was the way he smiled at you. This man was going to ruin you. One way or another.

“Hey im Ben.” he extended his hand.

“Y/N,” you said while you firmly grasped his hand to shake it. “I look forward to showing you around today we’ve got a lot to cover.”

“Don't let me keep you two from all the fun go on and go”

You both turned towards the door and he opened it for you. As you walked through you heard Mr.Skywalker call out to Ben.

“Remember Ben, we have plans for dinner tonight.”

“Of course I would never forget uncle Luke”

You both walked out of the administration office and you handed him a map, schedule, and dates for important events. You're not much of an organizer, but you figured it's the deans nephew so it better be the best tour he's ever been on. You first walk him around the outside of the main office running through a brief history of the school. Now that you think about it he probably knows everything about it. I mean his uncle runs the place and his grandparents founded it. His parents probably went here too, but you still prattled on about how his grandparents basically made one of the most prestigious schools in the country when they started out with 24 students and 4 teachers. You were told the history too as a kid. About how your grandfather attended when things were getting started and how he met Luke and they both worked along with Luke's parents to make it a great school. You guys get to the dorm areas when you notice Ben hanging back and staring off.

“You alright?” you ask as you walk up to him.

“So what's my uncle offering you for doing this?” he asked not taking his eyes away from the horizon.

“I'm not doing this for anything, although now that i think about it i probably should have asked for something.”

“So you're just doing this? You just stayed here to show some guy around when you could be off doing something else with your break?” His tone was accusatory, like he thought you were lying about it.

“Listen, it's not that it's your business, but I stay on campus anyways. I don't go anywhere for breaks. So I was here either way. Your uncle is really good friends with my grandfather. I'm doing this as a family friend, not someone looking to get in good with the dean.”

He finally looked at you, and you'd be lying if you said him just looking at you made you want to faint. You never met a man that you genuinely didn't want to stop looking at. He was just so handsome. You noticed he was looking you up and down, as if he was studying you, as if you were his prey. You hoped he would leave the matter at that, but instead he walked past you toward the garbage can and threw the papers in.

“Just show me where my dorm is. I don't care about everything else.” he huffed while he burst through the doors.

He had seemed so sweet in the office. Is this what Mr.Skywalker meant when he said he was a handful. Either way you felt like crying again. You worked hard on this, really hard, you wanted him to feel welcome and like you were his friend. Walked into the dorms to catch up with him. All you had to do was help him find his dorm then go, after that you can live the rest of your life ignoring him.

“Okay room 348 you’re gonna be on the third floor elevators are to your left.” you said trying to catch up to him. He was already standing in the elevator waiting. He held the doors open while you caught up so there's at least some politeness in him. You both stood in separate corners of the elevator as it took you both up. When they opened up he waited for you to exit first.

“So its right down this hall here, do you have the key?”

He sighed loudly as he dug through his pockets, and pulled out a single key on a key ring. He handed it right over to you as you approached his door.

“So here it is,” you opened the door as you explained the rules “so everyone is required to be in their dorms after midnight, Fridays are dorm inspections, and no loud noises after 10 pm.”

“Cool.” he said as he shoved past you. He snatched the keys out of your hands and looked around his room before slamming the door in your face. You were determined to still be nice. You dug a stack of sticky notes out of your bag and wrote down your phone number dorm number and school email.

“If you need anything you can reach me here.” you yelled after sticking it on his door. You sighed loudly and made way for the elevator. As you stood waiting for it to open you heard what sounded like his door opening then closing again.

#ben solo x reader #teen!ben solo #ben solo #bensoloxreader #ben solo fanfiction #star wars tfa #star wars au #star wars fanfiction #star wars #star wars tros #kenobi!reader #star wars x reader #teen!reader #reader insert #luke skywalker #armitage hux

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primsgirl89 · 5 years

Text

Storm Clouds 5

The weather was a breath of fresh air from all the rain that had been happening for a while now, but even though it wasn't raining it was still cloudy and cold. Two blue-haired teens walked side-by-side with a cup of a hot beverage in their hands, the boy had hazelnut coffee as the girl had hot chocolate in her hand. Their walk was quiet, but they were comfortable in that silence.

Luka was listening to the soft hum that he heard come from Marinette as they became closer to the school, it was soft and meaningful. Something his heart began to match with the rhythm she made. Juleka had mentioned that she had once heard Marinette humming when the girl was sketching in her sketchbook one day, she claimed that it had relaxed her so much that she was able to pass her make-up test for her Literature class. Now Luka knew he would never doubt his sister on Marinette's humming.

They had reached the school when two limos' pulled into the parking lot and it couldn't be Adrien's or Chloe's since the two were on the steps talking about something. The vehicles had stilled, many students began to crowd around to see what was going on but Luka and Marinette just continued to walk along to the classroom to avoid being late.

To be honest, they didn't pay attention to what was because they would hear about it later in the day. By the time the two reached the first class they had noticed that even the teachers weren't where they were supposed to be, so that had them wondering what it was about the new visitors that had everyone so interested.

Marinette had placed her bag next to her right foot when Adrien comes into the room and towards where she and Luka were in the back. "Hey, Marinette right?"

Marinette nods her head not looking the blonde in the eyes, but she saw how his feet kept twitching in the slightest of ways. Her silence was something that most likely made anybody uncomfortable, she felt bad for making them uncomfortable but she felt uncomfortable having anyone near her.

"I'm sorry for not introducing myself when I first came here," he began as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I guess with how everyone said you hated being confronted by people I didn't want to make you not like me." Luka glared lightly at the blonde in front of Marinette, who was shifting away from the other boy, with protectiveness. "But then you and Luka became super close, so I thought you and I could try being friends."

Standing up so he was face to face with the blonde he hid Marinette behind him so she could collect herself a bit, "perhaps you can't read body language, but you are making Marinette uneasy. So start with greetings before a conversation."

Adrien glared at the blue-eyed teen with annoyance his tone becoming a hiss, "perhaps you are just seeing things. Marinette looks just fine to me."

Just before Luka could respond he felt a small hands wrap around both of his wrists making him look behind himself to see both his sister and Marinette. Juleka was shaking her head, but he didn't pay attention to his sister his attention was on Marinette with her watery blue orbs and wobbling lip. He felt himself move so he could cup her cheek with his hand with such gentleness as he looked deep in her eyes, "Marinette?"

Marinette shook her head as she rested her cheek heavily into the calloused hand of her only friend, her eyes fluttering shut as tears welled in her eyes. Even though when she spoke it was above a whisper, but he still heard her. "I don't want you to get in trouble because of me."

Those words had almost made Luka's heart begin to break but all he did was grab her and pull her into his arms. The world disappeared as he tried to comfort Marinette, but reality had to come back at some point. It was when the teacher came in with someone who looked like he would work for the rich and famous, as he sat back in his seat he realized that Adrien was in his spot looking at Marinette with hope-filled eyes, it made Luka want to roll his eyes.

How can he not see that Marinette isn't used to being confronted? Sure, he had done something similar but at least he didn't speak so much to her in their first meet he wrote on a piece of paper to her. He would greet her with a small smile and a hello, but it was when they both stood up for a girl being abused by her at-the-time boyfriend. Ever since then they would both exchange words about the girl and how she was doing before they got to know each other a bit. Luka knew how Marinette likes hot chocolate compared to coffee, how Marinette can't seem to get anything done if someone is around her because it makes her feel uneasy. When Marinette makes her sketches she is so in the zone that she usually ends up forgetting to even eat food. Her favorite color, despite her not having a lot of the color, is blue, while her favorite shade is gray because it can be blended with other colors making a softer version of said color. How would Adrien be able to know these things if he isn't patient with Marinette?

A clearing of a throat made Luka look up to the front of the room to see that the teacher was looking directly at him, Luka gave her a blank look making her fidget a little but she looked at him expectantly. "Will Marinette come up to the front of the room?"

Looking beside him he saw why she was looking at him with wide and anxious eyes. Her lips made small movements, asking him a question. 'Will you come with me?,' he nodded his head as he held his palm out towards Marinette with an easy-going smile. All eyes followed them as they made their way to the front of the room, Marinette began to shake visibly so he pulled his hood over her head to keep her from having to see all the eyes on her.

"Marinette," Miss Bustier said gently but her eyes were looking at Luka, "this is Shang Yu, he is the royal steward to the king of China. He will be taking you to meet the King for today." While Marinette was freaking out, Luka looked at the bald man before them with a slight glare not liking how stressed he was making Marinette. She had felt an arm wrap around her shoulders as it led her back to her seat in the back watching as a familiar leather-clad arm grabbed her bag as well as his own. It wasn't until they were towards the door that the teacher spoke up once more. "Luka, you are not to leave school."

Sighing Marinette looked at Luka with a small pleading look, whether if it was for him to stay with her or to not cause trouble Luka didn't know. "If Marinette wants me to come then I am leaving."

Shang cleared his throat to gain their attention, when he had it he spoke. "I had been informed of her close relationship with Mister Couffaine and was told to make sure that he was to come along with Miss Marinette."

The teacher sighed and nodded her head before he handed the two blue-haired students the homework assigned for the night, "go to your other classes to get the rest of the work."

"It had already been done," Shang affirmed the teacher before leading the way out of the school with a grace that had many left in awe.

****

Marinette stared out the window of the limo as they made their way to her grandfather with a small frown on her face. Shang had not spoken a word to them when they had come into the vehicle which made her relax more at not having to speak to a stranger but at the same time, it made her anxious because she didn't know what to expect.

They were going to Le Grand Paris hotel where her grandfather was, but she knew that because of where the car was heading. Marinette knew that only celebrities or very wealthy people are the only ones are really allowed to take residence in this specific hotel, so in her mind, Marinette knew that her grandfather was staying here until things are settled with a castle or mansion was made to fit royalty.

When Shang led them into the building Marinette stayed close to Luka, making sure that her only friend was okay with it. He had mentioned that their class would be taking a field trip to London on a train to Shang, but she only felt a heavy shiver fall down her spine when she heard a familiar voice call out her name. Turning around she saw someone who looked to be in the late fifties with graying hair with brown eyes in a black designer suit.

Marinette's grandfather is not a very warm person in the first meeting, but she also knew that he is a loving man. His eyes saw how closely his granddaughter was near another blue-haired teen who looked like he was protectively troublesome and he liked the boy his granddaughter was with. The boy was tall, especially next to his grandchild, with a blank and calculating eyes. Those blue eyes seemed as if they could see someone on a whole other level, which if Marinette chose him to be her husband, is something a king would need to have to be able to tell if someone being honest to there kingdom. Clearing his throat he stalked to the teens to get a reaction out of the two, the boy his Marinette behind him when he was closer while Marinette straightened herself out. She had smiled at the unknown teen as she stepped beside him rather than behind him.

"Is this your partner, granddaughter," he asked coldly.

Marinette flinched as she looked up at Luka before she took a deep breath, "no, grandfather, this is my only friend Luka Couffiane. Luka, this is my grandfather the current ruler of China."

Luka stepped closer to the older man with a hand out in front of him, "hello."

"Names Chang Zhou," he said with a warmer air around him, "I say I do think I like this one, Marinette. I approve."

#lukanette #miraculous ladybug #luka couffaine #luka x marinette #marinette dupain cheng #marinette #marinette x luka #royalty au #the royal heir #princess marinette

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madsmikkelsenschesthair · 5 years

Text

Blood of the Dragon ch. 8

Summary: Freyja meets the Mad Grandfather and has a strange but prophetic dream.

A/n: yaaaallll I am so sooo sorry but our dear Danny won’t be in this story. I will be using her to make my aesthetics so technically y’all are kinda her? But not really her HER? Get it? No? Me neither! Enjoy! Remember to send me a message for comments, questions, and concerns. Like I said before, Keep it nice.

Warnings: insults, uncomfortable situations, mad Grandfather, one sad papa Rhaegar, fluff, cursing, violence, angst, a hint of death of character

“Look sister! That’s Dragonstone” Little Robb pointed excitedly towards the grey castle that nearly stood on the edge of a cliff. Freyja couldn’t believe it! She had never seen such a big castle in all her life. According to her books and her father, Dragonstone was where her family first settled when they fled Old Valyria. Hundreds of generations have lived in that very same castle and gave birth to new generations and now here she was! This was far too exciting! Freyja could only imagine how big and beautiful Kingslanding was. She couldn’t hardly contain herself her body was jittery and she was grinning from ear to ear until she could no longer feel her face. Little Robb coughed into his cloak breaking Freyja out of her daze, it had been getting chillier these past few weeks and her little brother seemed weaker than when she first met him. On the other hand, Fenrir was growing fast and strong and his puppy eagerness was gone replaced by the adulthood overcoming him. He was ever so faithful as well always by her side,

Freyja took off her own cloak, red with black fur trim and gold dragons, and put it around his shoulders. “Go back to your chambers,” she told him, “I think we will be there in an hour or so. Stay warm” The cold wind brushed against her cheeks reminding her to do the same, Freyja was far too excited to go back to her own chambers though. Today she will meet her Grandfather Aerys. Her father had not told her much about him or his other brother and she wondered why. Anytime Freyja asked about them the conversation was immediately changed to another topic or her parents would ask her about her day. Freyja kept a mental note of that for later.

Little Robb stopped midway to the stairs that lead below deck and stared at her, “Are you coming? You’ll get sick too” Freyja kept her eyes on Dragonstone, she could feel magic swarming in her blood as they grew closer. This would be their first and last stop before they left for Kingslanding. She looked down to her wolf, “Come on, Fen” and the pair followed her little brother below deck.

After sailing for so many weeks, the Targaryen fleet stopped and the family got back on the little boats and sailed to the shore. Freyja had no problem stepping off the boat and getting her boots and dress a little wet but her family looked to be in anguish to have their fine clothes soiled. She was used to it after so many years of fishing with her boys. Looking at it now, Dragonstone castle was bigger that it loomed over them. The closer they walked to the entrance the more nervous she got. Freyja saw a group of people waiting for them at the top of the grey steps all of them wearing dark clothes. Her hand closed around the Thor’s Mjolnir on her neck homesickness tightening her stomach. She followed her father and his guards close behind enclosing them, protecting them. The leader of the group that was waiting for them was a short man, an imp, with curly dark hair and a beard and he smiled at her.

“Welcome home Your Grace!” he said his smile growing wider.

Her King Father’s face broke into a grin, “Lord Tyrion, such a pleasant surprise we thought you would be back in Kingslanding”

“There is no ‘we’ my love” Cersei intervened, her voice cold, “what are you doing here? You should be helping father at the Red Keep”

Freyja was surprised by how much malice there was in her voice towards the little man but he didn’t seem so phased, he only smiled sweetly at her.

“Good to see you too, sweet sister,” Lord Tyrion answered, “but I couldn’t wait to see my new niece” Freyja smiled shyly at her new uncle and she stepped forward. “Look at you!” he gushed “Pure Valyrian beauty! You look just like your father, Princess Y/n” He took her hand and gingerly placed a kiss on top.

She flinched at her new name and her smile almost disappeared but Freyja managed to compose herself after all Tyrion seemed like such a kind man, “Thank you, Uncle Tyrion. It is very nice to meet you and I can’t wait to meet my grandfather”

The grownups gave each other wary looks. Even Uncle Tyrion’s smile faded, “Speaking of,” he turned to Rhaegar, “Your father wishes to speak to you, Your Grace even you Cersei. In the meantime, I will help the children settle and get to know my new niece”

Her parents wasted no time and hurried up the steps with Uncle Jaime and a group of knights following. Freyja watched them, dumbfounded. What were they hiding from her? Why did everyone grow quiet when her grandfather was mentioned? She would have to ask her Uncle these questions.

The interior of Dragonstone was as breathtaking as it was outside. The was seemed to be made of some rare dark stone, the torches on the wall gave it a hint of red golden streaks. That wasn’t all; carvings, drawings, and statues of dragons stood on almost every corner and wall. It truly lived up to its’ name. It was also surprisingly warm, so warm that Freyja took off her cloak.

“I can’t believe I’m really here,” she said smiling her eyes still wandering up and down the walls and ceiling. “The home of my ancestors”

Tyrion watched her facial expressions, how happy she looked and even the sparkle in her eyes. And there was something else but he couldn’t quite figure out what it was. All he knew was that he was glad the rightful heir to the throne was home Even with her Valyrian looks, Y/n looked Viking or at least a small one in the making. Still, she carried the heavy and dreadful burden of homesickness. Tyrion could see it.

A woman came in making Freyja lookup. She had on a plain grey dress along with the same colored wimp on her head covering her hair. Little Rob instantly lit up when he saw her. “Ah, dear Septa please take my nephew to his room,” Tyrion said and the woman curtsied. The pair left them alone. He smiled at his niece. “Come, you and I have much to talk about dear Niece. Tell me about Kattegat, your home”

Freyja’s throat began to close, she followed her uncle down a long corridor it took a bit for her to find her words. “My home”, she began to say slowly, “is very beautiful. There is so much green everywhere and it rains a lot. During the winter it gets really cold but I love it”

“It does sound like paradise” Uncle Tyrion commented with a smile, “I hear you worship different gods”

“We do! We worship Odin, Frigg, Thor, Baldur, Loki, Freyja” her eyes had that sparkle again, “I was born during the wrath of Thor and that’s why I’m Thorsdottir”

Tyrion chuckled. “And you were named Freyja after your mother. It was a nickname Ragnar Lothbrok gave your mother”

Freyja’s smile faded. She missed her family so much and prayed to the Gods Ragnar was safe wherever he was. Uncle Tyrion led her and her wolf to a room that was more elegant than the one she had on the ship. Like the rest of the castle, there were beautiful soaring dragons on the walls and ceiling but in the middle of the ceiling, there was a painting of a man with short pale hair and a beard his gaze hard and intimidating. By his side, two beautiful women; one feminine and the other wearing armor. Both of them with the same pale hair and violet eyes as the man.

“Who’s that?”

Tyrion followed her eyes, “Ah! That my sweet niece is Aegon the Conqueror and his sister-wives Visenya and Rhaenys”

“Conqueror?” she said full of wonder and curiosity.

“Yes, he is Aegon the Conqueror. Many Targaryens were named after him” Tyrion explained as he poured himself a cup of wine, “Many of them not as brave or sane as him though”

The painting was beautiful but her favorite part of the room was the window. She could see the dark ocean from here and smell the sea salt that was stronger than any pungent smell. Freyja was about to open the window when a knock on the door brought their attention. Uncle Tyrion opened the door to find a knight.

“Pardoned me Your Grace but your grandfather has asked to see you,” he said.

There was that look on her uncle’s face again and now Freyja knew that this meeting with her grandfather was not going to end very well. How she wished Bjorn was here to protect her. Even Ragnar. Suddenly the halls of Dragonstone were no longer welcoming and Freyja wished to be anywhere else but here. The whole way to her grandfather’s sickroom, they were quiet not making the situation any better. Finally, they reached two heavy double doors guarded by two more knights. Before they could go in, Tyrion turned to Freyja.

“Be careful, sweet niece, Your Grandfather is not right in the head.” And the guards opened the door before she could even open her mouth. They were all waiting for them, Father, Stepmother, Uncle Jaime, and...grandfather. He was laying in a large bed with many pillows to keep him propped up, his pale white hair long and matted, lilac eyes sickly and frail or at least what she thought was frail. His nails were longer than hers and the room smelled heavily of illness. Her father motioned her forward. Even the air was uneasy.

“Father,” King Father said gently, “Y/n is home. This is your granddaughter”

Aerys Targaryen’s eyes studied the girl, “Rhaella? Is that you?” Freyja looked at her father and he gave a dry chuckle. “No father, It’s Y/n. Your grandchild”. Her grandfather’s face molded into a bitter twist. “Come here, girl let me take a look at you”. Freyja gulped and inched her way closer to him. She gasped when he suddenly snatched her wrist gripping it tightly. Aerys’s pulled her closer until she could smell his foul breath. He didn’t say anything only his eyes wandering her face. Freyja’s heart pounded loudly against her chest. The more he stared the angrier he got. There was no illness in those eyes only madness and he was swimming in insanity.

“You smell like the Norse,” he said harshly, “You smell like your bitch mother”

“Father!” Rhaegar hissed and stepmother gasped, Freyja only stared at him dumbfounded.

“You little wench! Your mother was the one to cause that Rebellion! You are exactly like her. You look like the dragon but you have the stench of a wolf!” Her grandfather roared startling Freyja and everyone else in the room. She then felt a sharp hot sting on her cheek and she fell to the floor from the harsh blow. Stepmother shrieked next she heard the wrestling of men and through watery eyes, Freyja watched her father fight his own. He called for the guards and immediately they busted in holding back the Mad King from hitting her more. Fear shook her entire body.

“I’ll burn them all!” he screamed, his face red and eyes on fire. “I’ll burn them all starting with you!”

Freyja ignored Uncle Jaime’s strong arms and Stepmother’s desperate cries, she fled from that room as if fleeing from the wrath of Hel. She ran, ran all the way to her room slamming the door behind her. Freyja collapsed on to her bed sobbing inconsolably. No one in her life had hit her. Ever. Everyone had always treated her kindly, her home was full of love and laughter and here she didn’t have that. She missed her Bear, Kraka, Lagertha, Athelstan, her boys. Everyone! It wasn’t fair that these people had to take her away from her family!

“Freyja? It’s us, Uncle Jaime and Uncle Tyrion, can we come in?”

She didn’t wipe away her tears or respond. Freyja was far too heartbroken. Her uncles came in anyway.

“I want to go home!” she wailed “I want my family! I miss my bear!”

Uncle Jaime sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing her back. “Don’t cry, little Freyja. Your grandfather will not burn anyone” She sat up still sobbing. Jaime put her head against his chest, letting the tears run down his armor.

“Hey, hey now,” Uncle Tyrion said, his voice soft and kind “Let’s get your mind of that, hm? Tell me about your family, about Bjorn and Ragnar”

“They would have killed that monster!”

Jaime shot his little brother a look and Tyrion’s eyes went wide. “Alright let’s not talk about that! Please, tell me about Bjorn. You talk about him a lot” Jaime took out a handkerchief and wiped away her tears.

“His name literally means bear,” Freyja said, she touched her necklace, “I call him bear because he is protective of me. A bit overprotective, really. He loves me a lot. I am like his daughter”

“Are you?”

“Yes, and he is like my father” Talking about Bjorn made tears swell in her eyes again. “I really, really, really want to go home. I miss my family”

Uncle Jaime got on one knee taking her hands in his, “I understand, little one but I cannot take you home. We don’t have that power”

“But we can speak to your father,” Uncle Tyrion said, “we can tell him how you feel. In the meantime, you have us to come to for anything else”

Freyja thanked them with all her heart. Stepmother came in after her face was back to its normal bright self and she was laughing at a funny story her Uncle Tyrion was telling. Her stepmother comforted and told her she loved her but her King Father did not come in to talk to her. It stung her. Such coldness from a man who had not seen her once, nonetheless this being the first time as a family. Her supper and dinner were brought to her room and she spent most of her time avoiding her father as much as he had been avoiding her. Freyja spent her time with the rest of her new family, She played with Little Rob, had tea with her stepmother, took a long walk on the shores with Uncle Tyrion and Uncle Jaime. Still, Freyja couldn’t help but have a tiny bit of hope that her King Father would speak to her.

Thunder roared through the skies, dark clouds covered the blue sky and sun. Waves crashed against the cliffs dangerously. Every time lightning struck, Freyja was seen walking through the corridors of Dragonstone. The dragons on the walls and their statues looked more terrifying than they did during the day. Yet Freyja was not scared, she could hear her people’s music through the thunder. In between those flashes, she saw the familiar woods of home or at least she thought was home.

“How the little piglets' would grunt if they knew how the old boar suffered?” A voice boomed. He sounded familiar but Freyja couldn’t name the owner of the voice.

A heavy door with the Targaryen sigil opened by itself, creaking. Freyja grabbed a torch from the wall and entered.

“It gladdens me to know that Odin prepares for a feast. Soon I shall be drinking ale from curved horns. This hero that comes into Valhalla does not lament his death!”

Freyja walked down the stone steps, the smell of humidity hung heavy through the air. Thor’s wrath pounding the sky. As she walked, the images of home came flashing back. Somewhere an eagle screeched. The sky was too cloudy for her to see where it was. Freyja followed several more flights of steps until she stumbled on a trap door. She almost missed it through the very dirty floor. Freyja struggled to open it and the door hit the floor with a loud clang. It was very dark down there, she grabbed the torch and squinted to see.

“I shall not enter Odin's hall with fear. There I shall wait for my sons to join me.”

Freyja finally found felt a wooden step and she went into the darkness, careful not to fall. Another image. This time she saw a cage hanging from a tree, sturdy enough to hold a man. Something dreadful will happen here. The closer she got to it the more afraid she was and the more her heart dropped.

“And when they do, I will bask in their tales of triumph. The Aesir will welcome me!”

When she reached the bottom, Freyja was shocked when she came face to face with rows and rows of eggs. All of them as large as a child's head and all of them came in different colors. Their shells scaley and weathered they almost looked to be made of stone. A thousand years old. Freyja put the torch where it could help her see and she picked up an egg, admiring it. Back home, crows circled above her cawing. She braced herself for what she was about to see. There, surrounded by serpents of all sizes, laid her Ragnar. Dead. In the dungeon, the dragon egg burned into glowed but it did not harm her, boiling until it cracked and a baby dragon with golden eyes screeched at her. With Ragnar, Freyja’s screams of terror and anguish turned to the roars of a dragon.

“My death comes without apology! And I welcome the valkyries to summon me home!”

Freyja lurched forward, cold sweat sticking to her skin and her heart pounding. Fenrir padded to his mistress sniffing her to see if she was alright. The princess stroked her wolf’s fur and she was stunned to see that the window was wide open. Thor pounding his hammer furiously.

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#game of thrones #game of thrones and vikings #vikings imagine #game of thrones fanfic #game of thrones writing #game of thrones imagine #vikings fanfic #vikings writings #hvitserk x reader #sigurd x reader #ivar x reader

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deimagines · 5 years

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Second Chance (A Steve Rogers‘s Sister Imagine)

Imagine that Steve Rogers A.K.A. Captain America. Actually has a baby sister who was only eight when Steve has to leave her in the care of their neighbor to go to war and was ten when she was told that her brother had disappeared and was soon entitled dead in action.

And then, almost seventy years later, Steve was told that his sister was still alive and had shockingly worked for SHIELD before going into retirement. Unfortunately, she has cancer and is about to die soon. And in her final moments, she asked him to do one final mission for her.

To raise her only granddaughter.

(This will also include a few ocs, and again I hope you enjoy!!)

(Play me)

~1942 (Brooklyn, New York)

“Okay Y/N,” Steve calls. “Time for bed.”

Y/N Rogers. The eight-year-old sister of Steve Rogers was not only the biggest sweetheart in the world. But she was the only thing that Steve would ever consider the only family that he has other than Bucky, who he had considered as a brother since they were kids.

Y/N runs through her room that Steve made her clean before she took her bath and brushed her teeth. It was a normal routine that Steve had become used to ever since their mother passed away. Unfortunately, Y/N didn’t have a chance to get to know their mother very well. And it was hard to answer her questions about why they didn’t have a mother or a father when all the other kids like her have.

Steve didn’t have a choice but to answer truthfully in the most gentle way as possible. He told her that their mother had to be away. And that she was so sorry that she couldn’t be with them longer. Y/N soon then understand why they needed to visit the large stone that Steve took her once and every year on the birthday of their mother.

Once Y/N was in bed and Steve tucks her in and kisses her forehead.

“Night Y/N.”

But before he could leave the room. She calls out to him in a soft tone.

“Steve.”

“Yeah?”

“Ginger wants a song.” She holds her handmade toy, that she made with their neighbor Miss Audry, and held it a bit high to show Steve.

He smiled and came right back to her side bed. “Well, what does ‘Ginger’ want to hear?” He sat at the edge.

“The one you always sing,” Y/N answered. “Please.” She gave him the eyes that could possibly make all men hearts melt no doubt when she grows older.

Steve chuckles quietly and leans closer to her. “Alright, but then it’s off to sleep. Ok?”

Y/N nodded happily and lay back down and snuggled into the blankets.

“At last my love has come along

My lonely days are over.

And life is like a song.”

Steve smiled as his sister began to drift off to sleep and she purposely holds his hand that was resting on her stomach while he sang and smiled lovingly as he continued.

“You smiled and then the spell was cast

And here we are in heaven.

For you are mine at last. . .”

He whispered the lyrics when he made sure that Y/N was finally asleep. He kissed her forehead again took his hand back carefully without waking her up.

“Goodnight Y/N.” He whispered.

***

“Peggy. . . I’m gonna need a raincheck on that dance.”

Peggy sniffs. “Alright. . . A week, next Saturday, at the Stork Club. That way you’ll have enough time to spend with Y/N.”

“You got it. Tell her I’ll read her her favorite when I come home.”

“Ok. . . Eight o’clock on the dot. Don’t you dare be late. Understood?”

“You know. . . I still don’t know how to dance.”

“I’ll show you how. Just be there.”

“We’ll have the band play something slow. I’d hate to step on your------” Suddenly the radio went to complete static.

“Steve?” Peggy whimpered. “Steve?” She choked. And General Phillips only looks down in defeat. Loosing yet another soldier in battle.

“Steve?” Peggy tries again until she gave up and covers her face in sorrow being left alone in the control room when Phillips couldn’t bare the sight anymore. With only one thought remains in his head now.

‘How am I going to break the news to the kid?”

~2012

In a home near Brooklyn New York. Y/N Rogers was lying peacefully in her bed with a book in hand. Multiple pictures were placed on her bedside drawer. Some of the pictures contain the day her wedding, the day of her only child’s birth. And her pride possession, her oldest brother. Taken before he was injected with the serum.

When Y/N found out about Steve. She was explained by a man in a suit and her guardian, Miss Audry, a kind old neighbor of the Rogers, that Steve died fighting for what’s right. He saved countless of lives that day when he sunk the Valkyrie down into the ocean, including himself.

Y/N wanted to hate her brother for as long as she can remember. She wanted to hate the visits that her brother’s friends made to keep her company. Making sure the memory of her brother still lives in their own point of views instead of the ones the public claimed.

She hated to admit that she enjoyed their visits. Especially the ones a certain British woman had come and made.

Peggy was practically like a sister to Y/N whenever the older woman made the time to visit and chat on the things they did and the lives they were making. But most of all, they talked about Steve.

Y/N was doing the most of the talking though. She gave Peggy every detail about the life and childhood Steve have given to her along with the embarrassing stories she had of him. And she wouldn’t change anything about it. They bonded through the years sharing the pain that was stuck inside them like a tumor. But they often reminded each other that Steve wouldn’t want them to sulk up their lives mourning for him. He would want them to be happy.

But as Y/N began to grow up. She found that waiting on men at diners and sitting at home cooking and sewing for her entire life wasn’t the one she would proud of.

So she began to find the opportunities and worked her ass off long enough that it lead her from working at John’s as a waitress to Agent Martins of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.

But Y/N, along with the rest of her fellow comrades, mostly like to call it by its acronym. SHIELD.

Y/N thought it was best to hide her true identity to avoid any enemies.

She devoted herself to the work that her brother had inspired to create with the help of Peggy and another friend of Steve, Howard Stark. Y/N finds him both silly and amusing to play with when she was a child.

And when Howard made a decision to make Y/N the godmother of his first and only son, Tony. She hesitated at first, fearing that their line of work was bad enough to have children. But she soon agreed to it when she found a love of her own after 10 years of working in SHIELD.

He was daring, practical, smart. But most of all, he was the only nephew of Colonel Chester Phillips. Micheal Aaron Phillips. But most people view him as ‘Mike’.

Mike was a few years older then Y/N was. Making her a bit timid by his appearance and skills. But the skill that Y/N was glad that Mike lack of was arrogance.

He was there when Agent ‘Martins’ was assigned to retrieve an artifact that was stolen from SHIELD. Her brother’s shield.

After their mission. Mike was intrigued by the girl that his Uncle Chester has told him so much about before he signed up into the organization.

Soon enough a spark ignited between them and little did they know that they found themselves in a small church getting married after many long years of dates, picnics, and the watchful eyes of her protectives Howling Commando uncles.

Boy, was that Mike afraid of their eyes.

After then, Y/N gave birth to a healthy baby girl, Dahlia. And 34 more years later, she was blessed with a granddaughter, named Sarah.

Dahlia’s husband heard the name once from Y/N and instantly had a liking to it so much that he practically begged Dahlia to name their daughter after Dahlia’s deceased grandmother. Dahlia found no argument to it and also agreed.

When Y/N retired, she lived a happy life in Brooklyn where she and Steve grew up in. She tells stories of her times to her only beloved grandchild and her daughter and son-in-law.

Until that one night, Y/N was contacted by an officer who gave her the horrific news.

News that would leave Sarah an orphan and a heartbreaking Y/N.

After taking in of what’s possibly the only blood relative she has. Y/N made sure to share the exact pain she had with her brother’s passing and emerge that pain with the loss of her daughter and son-in-law.

Y/N made sure that Sarah was constantly reminded that she was not alone and she would always be loved. It too broke her heart immensely that she could no longer see her daughter and son-in-law anymore. Angry that the universe took yet another piece of her heart.

And Sarah, she soon began to understand why mommy and daddy aren't coming back.

But it was okay. She has her granny after all. Every day they would go through her granny’s special cookbook that was gifted to her by a very special friend of hers a long time ago.

On other days, they would go to their spot in Central Park to have picnics and play tea parties much to Sarah’s delight.

But she began to notice the tired eyes that her granny was showing every now and then.

She can remember the constant times when she would visit the hospital with her grandmother as the doctor and she talk about grown-up stuff. Sometimes she would eavesdrop on their conversation and began to pick up certain words that she hardly understands.

Plasma cells.

Multiple myelomas.

Cancer.

Sarah watched as the people in white clothes, doctors and nurses she soon found out, bringing the equipment into her grandmother’s room.

Lately, she’s been doing her regular routine in her grandmother’s side bed and was always asked to wait out in the hall when the doctor comes and checked in.

In the real world. Y/N was always advised that she should take her final moments at the hospital. Where they could treat her well.

But every time she denies. Saying that she wanted to have her final moments with her granddaughter in their home where they had made so many wonderful years together after her daughter’s passing.

She wanted to die in a place where she can relax. Enough to forget that she was going away. Forever.

When the months pass, Sarah ‘s birthday was coming up soon. She’ll be turning eleven in two months time. She was beginning to grow a little taller too. She was just about above the high countertop where she and Y/N used to make their recipes together.

She’s going to miss that. It wasn’t sugarcoated that Sarah knew she was going to lose her granny soon. Even though she barely remembers her parents. Granny was practically the one she would always love more than anyone else. And she wasn’t just her grandmother or the person she was raised by. She was her best friend.

Ring. Ring. Ring-

One day, the Rogers residence got a call. Sarah was hesitating to answer, but Granny was taking her rest and the only other adult in the house was still outside getting the groceries bags from the car outside.

So without any other options, she took the home phone and click the green button.

“Hello?” Sarah answered.

“. . .Hello, is this Helen Cho?”

Sarah was greeted by a man’s voice. Asking for Helen.

Helen Cho was the doctor that Y/N’s godson had assigned for her care. Insisting that she needed the best of the best. No charge.

“No.”

“Oh. . . well, in that case, would you mind handing the phone to Doctor Helen Cho?”

“Why? Are you a doctor too?”

“No my name Phillip J. Coulson. I’m a friend of Josie Rogers. Is there an adult that I can speak with sweetheart?”

This man- Phillip- asked and before Sarah could answer. Helen appeared through the front door with the groceries.

“Sarah, who are you speaking to?” She asked in a kind but also tired voice as she carried the heavy groceries haul into the kitchen and sets them on the counter table.

“There’s a guy on the phone.” Sarah says and Helen panics a bit but she hides it anyway so that she wouldn’t startle the little girl that she was growing to love during the past 6 months.

“He said his name is Phil-” Helen didn’t answer the child as she hurries and swiped the phone off of Sarah’s hands.

“Hello. Who is this?”

“Helen. It’s Coulson.”

Helen covers the phone with her other hand. “Sarah, can you take out the groceries, please?”

Sarah shrugs, not caring about the man anymore. “Okay.” And runs off to the kitchen.

Helen places the phone back to her ear. “Agent, what a surprise.” She says quietly, not wanting the child at the other room to hear her.

“Hey, Helen.” Coulson greeted. “How’s everything in the household?”

Helen looks behind her shoulder to see the girl in the house taking apples out from the paper bag. “Well enough. But only for so long. Listen, everything I’ve done. Everything I did won’t slow down her condition Coulson-”

“Just give me the straight answer Helen.” Coulson interrupted her and she closed her eyes for a moment then said.

“Probably a month. But that’s me being hopeful. . . She’ll be gone in any week by now. She’s growing weaker by the day.”

Helen stopped herself to sigh and holds her emotion to spare Coulson. She knew how he favored his mentor all those years ago.

“But anyway. What else did you want to know?”

After a few words being answered to her question. Her eyes had suddenly grown slightly big and she was practically gapping in the spot on the hall.

“A-are you sure?” She asked. “. . . When?. . . Alright. I’ll let her know. Have a good day Coulson.”

She pressed the off button and placed the home phone back to its charge before placing a hand on the wall to hold herself up.

After a minute of silence, she straightens herself up and began to walk upstairs to where her elder was resting. When she got to the room, she knocked on the open door to present herself.

“Who is it?” Y/N was staring at the window with studied eyes as she watched the leaves blowing against the wind. How she loves the little things. Its what kept her sane ever since she was on house arrest. Or that’s what she likes to call it.

“It’s me. Helen.”

Y/N turns and smiled sweetly at the young woman. “Helen. I see you and Sarah are back from your trip to the supermarket.”

But then, she noticed that expression on her nurse's faces and began to worry a bit. “What’s wrong dear? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

If only Helen could correct her statement. But to tell her the news. Cho sits at the end of the bed by Y/N’s legs and calms herself enough to speak.

“They found him.”

Y/N frowns then said. “What? Helen who found who?”

Helen gulps and Y/N asked again. “Helen?”

The young woman let out a big breath and said. “He’s alive Y/N. Your brother. Captain America. He’s alive Y/N.”

Y/N’s breath hitched and she blindly searches something to hold with her hand and found the offering of Helen’s. felt like she wasn’t going to breath. It was like she was in one of her dreams. Having someone to tell her that her brother was alive had been one of the biggest fantasy she’s ever had ever since the Valkyrie drowned into the sea.

She looks at Helen to see any tricks or hallucination that could be happening in her head right now. Wondering if this was another trick from her lack of energy. But Helen’s eyes answered it all.

He’s alive.

_*_*_

Steven Grant Rogers. Captain America.

Steve Rogers.

After being found and wakened up.

He was so studious about the many changes in New York.

Most of the woman that he’s seen were wearing pants.

Large television screens were placed all over Time-Square.

And as if it didn’t get any strange, it did when he saw a young woman with what looks like a pierced earing on the bottom of her lip when Fury and some other agents took him inside of the main headquarters of SHIELD.

It was a strange event for him to wake up so suddenly in a fake medical ward and was later being chased by armed men out of the building until they caught him in Time Square.

Seventy years. Almost anyway.

That’s how long he had been gone from Fury’s statement. He had been asleep for almost seventy years. But it felt like he had been asleep for only one night. It was surreal even.

So surreal that he even considered that he was just dreaming and that he would wake up any moment now in one of those uncomfortable cots that he had just gotten used to after so many periods of sleep on rocks and hard pavement when he and the Howling Commandos were off doing missions on Hydra’s bases.

He imagined that Peggy would be at his side when he wakes. And miraculously, they would manage to bring his baby sister in and she would jump into his arms like she always does whenever he managed to visit her back in Brooklyn.

But he needed to remind himself that he was only daydreaming, hoping. And that he really did disappear for so long and was later found by SHIELD.

He can never get that dance at the Stork Club that he promised his best gal.

Never got the chance to give away Y/N at the altar on the day of her wedding.

Not even a chance to meet his niece. Dahlia Phillips.

By the time when he was escorted to Fury’s office after being changed into some different clothing that was given to him when came to the headquarters.

He was carefully told that SHIELD was founded by Howard Stark. Chester Phillips, and Margaret Carter. Made it a successor to continue the old government that Steve once remembered, the S.S.R.

He was explained that after the war was won, many agents were sent to find, or retrieve Steve back starting from where the Valkyrie was last seen.

Trails went cold. And some had even given up on the search until one by one, the agents dialed down to a single crew.

To the public, Captain Rogers was 'presumed' dead. Even some of America’s top leaders suggested to give up the search on Rogers. Seeing that he is just what history claims him to be. History.

Until now.

Then all of the information hadn’t even matter when Steve asked about his sister.

He was only given the basics. That she graduated in one of the finest schools and college. Got married to an honorable man and had a kid and a grand-daughter soon enough.

And before she did the family dream with a picket fence. She was an agent.

Steve was shocked as Fury told him about the ‘success’ his sister made for SHIELD. How she was the first youngest agent to be initiated at the age of 22. And was once made the head director of SHIELD for about three decades until she retired and gave up the position to Fury.

To be honest. Steve was actually proud of Y/N. Even if he didn’t want her to live a life as an agent. Still, he was angry that she wanted to place herself in heavy situations that he’s probably going to have to give her one of his ‘big brother talk’ moments that he missed giving to her ever since he got into the war.

Which reminded him something. He asked about how Y/N is now. He didn’t even hide the hesitation when he asked. It was clear that no matter how long you have or how healthy you are. Death will always come so fast that you can’t even see coming. Especially working for the government.

Fury did his definition of sugarcoating and told Steve that his timing was so practical when Y/N only had a few weeks to live.

Suddenly, Steve found himself going through memory lane. Thinking about the times to every pain he felt in his life.

From the bully punches in the alleys and streets, Project Rebirth, and the deaths of Dr. Erskine and his long-time best friend, Bucky.

All of the physical and emotional pain was hitting him all at once in just that second.

His little baby sister was dying.

Though he was glad that she lived this far. Building a family of her own as she works her way into SHIELD like it was nothing. It surprises him that she even got the time to have one. A family. Fury even gave him the name of the grand-daughter that Y/N loves to death.

Sarah. That’s the name of Steve’s great-niece. Named after his mother. And he couldn’t wait to meet her already.

“When.” He asked. Not adding any more explanation after he said it. Knowing that Fury would easily understand about what he’s asking.

“Now.” Fury said.

It was about time that Captain America is going to meet his baby sister again after almost 70 years.

_*_*_

A clean vehicle with very privacy glass to hide the back passengers that were being taken to Brooklyn. It didn’t go unnoticed when Steve saw the large changes in the city that he had grown up in.

New buildings were built and the small apartments that he crossed so many times in his youth were replaced by shops. And the shops that he remembers, along with the Stork Club were replaced by different ones and numerous names were popping out everywhere the vehicle goes. Some were even repeating like McDonald’s and Taco Bell.

He’s going to have to ask someone about them later.

During the trip, Fury was kind of kind enough to give Captin with some grand updates that he had missed during his time in the ocean. One of them being the Civil Rights of Act 1964.

Steve couldn’t help but smile at the fact. Y/N’s favorite neighbor, Miss Audry was a sweet old black woman that lives in the apartment that was just under their’s. She would always take care of Josie whenever he had to go out to work. Her wish came true.

It wasn’t until they crossed through Brooklyn Bridge that his nerves started to kick in and his knee was subconsciously beginning to bounce. His eyes looking out at every buildings and house they passed to take the time to calm himself a bit until they get to the address that Fury only knows.

Suddenly the car slows down to a stop in front of a terraced house. “Here we are.” Fury said.

Steve couldn’t help but gulped quietly while the palms of his hands began to sweat his nerves out. Brushing them against the fabric of his pants to try to push off the weight that was holding him down to his seat.

“Ready to meet them?” Fury asked.

At first, Steve thought that he must’ve misheard him but then remembers that there was another Rogers that lived in the terraced with his sister.

Fury opens his doors and Steve did the same with his side. Closing the door as he got out and looks up at the terraced more clearly.

It was a very nice light blue home with white-framed windows with white curtains hanging inside for privacy.

Steve followed Fury as they make their way past the small gates that was standing in front of the house and marched upon the small porch. Fury pressed the doorbell before turning back to Steve.

“You’ll have a day with her. After that, I’ll send someone to pick you up in the evening. Good luck.” He patted his shoulder and left him standing alone on the porch. Speechless.

Steve looked a bit panic and was about to turn to call for Fury to come back but stops himself when the door opened.

“Yes?” A woman’s voice says and Steve was surprised when he turned to see a young Asian woman at the door. Questionable eyes looking at him and waiting for an answer.

“Hello, ma’am.” It was the only way that Steve could start with.”I’m here to see-”

“Steve Rogers.” The woman suddenly said with a small gasp and eyes widened. And it was Steve’s turn to look at her in question when she said his name. Wondering how did she know him?

“Yes, uh. . . how did you-”

“You look a lot like in the pictures that Y/N showed me. Only, you’re a bit more. . . bigger.” She gave him an awkward smile. Feeling a bit intimidated that THE Captain America was standing by the doorstep.

“I’m Doctor Helen Cho.” She greeted formally. “Y/N is currently under my care. Has been for about a year now.”

She offers her hand and Steve takes to handshake as the words ‘doctor’ and ‘care’ came into mind. “So you’re the one who’s been treating my sister?”

“Yes.” Helen answers. “Why don’t you come in.” She opens the door wider and lets the captain. He said his thanks and went inside as Helen closed the door behind him.

Steve took a small time to glance around the interior of the house and felt a homey feeling that radiated from the beige painted walls with family pictures hanging. Some were dated back to the 40′s and the now.

“Follow me.” Helen said as she went and steps up to the stairs in the hall that leads up to the upstairs floor. Not blind to catch the old soldier’s nerves as he lets out a small sigh before following her behind.

Every step he took felt like he was walking knee deep in water and when they got to the floor, Helen gestures him to a door a the end of the hall. “Right over here.”

It only took a few more steps until they reached to the front of the door. Steve held his breath as she knocks on the hardwood.

“Come in.” A frail voice answered from the other side and Steve felt a small trail of goosebumps forming on his arms.

Helen opens the door and pokes her head in. “Hey, look who’s here.”

She opened the door fully and steps aside for the old woman to have a full image of Steve, who was still standing in the hall. He hesitated at first but went in either way.

The first thing he noticed about the room was the floral wallpaper pattern on each wall. A wooden dressing table stands flat back on the wall with numerous medications on it along with some portrait pictures with a small jewelry box by them.

The only decor in the room that was out of place was the noticeable medical monitor and the IV bag and pole standing beside the luscious bed.

And on the bed, was the woman that holds a special in Steve’s heart the second he first held her in arms when she was just a newborn.

“Hey, Stevey.”

Y/N Rogers’s eyes watered as she began to cry in relief when Steve entered the room. Happy that he was alive and well.

As for Steve, he couldn't believe that this gray hair and fragile human was his baby sister. The only thing that didn’t change was the contagious smile that he oh so love very much. That seeing it made him teared up and he waste another second as he goes over to the side of her bed and sat on the chair that was placed there. Taking her hand when she outstretches it to him.

He finally found the strength to smile back to his sister and pressed the palm of her hand against his cheek. And suddenly a pained look slowly formed on his face.

“I’m sorry.” He said quietly in regret. “I’m so sorry.”

Y/N’s eyes furrowed at him. “For what?”

Steve looks at her, confused. “For everything. . . For leaving you and everyone else-”.

But Y/N shakes her head to him. “No, you didn’t leave. . . You saved me.” She caressed the back of his hand to comfort him. “If you didn’t manage to stop the Valkyrie, everyone that we know in New York, including myself would’ve died from the impact.”

Steve still didn’t understand. “But-”

“But nothing!” Y/N said. “Whatever you’re thinking. Whatever thought that made you so regretful. I want you to know that I forgive you.”

Steve looks at her surprise.

“I forgave you for a long time now. Knowing that holding on to the anger that I had for you would only cloud my judgment to the world. “Y/N held in her sobs and her grip on her brother’s hand tightens. But it wasn’t effective enough seeing as Steve wasn’t bothered by her touch but by her words.

It was his turn to smile in relief and then kissed her hand before saying. “I’m here now, Y/N. I’m here now.”

She hums happily and patted the back of his hand. It was then that she noticed a small figure hiding behind the frame of the door in the hall.

Y/N let out a small chuckle and called out to the little one. “You can come in, Sarah.”

It was the small gasp that took Steve’s attention away from his sister and turns to see what cause such a small noise. At the doorway, there stands a small girl staring at them with hands all fiddling. Curiosity was filled in the child’s eyes as she looks at the stranger that was sitting beside her granny and holding her hand.

“Come in Sarah.” Y/N urges. “There’s someone I liked you to meet.”

The girl hesitated. Not taking her eyes off the man, she quickly went up to her granny at the other side of the bed and jumps on to it until she was fully seated by her grandmother.

Y/N moved to the side a bit to make room for Sarah. When she moves around a bit to find a comfy position, she turns to Sarah and said. “Sarah, this my brother. Steve. You're great-uncle.”

Steve would’ve laughed at the title if he wasn’t still so the shock of how Sarah looks so much like Y/N when she was at her age.

He distinctly remembered that the last time when he saw Y/N was when she had turned ten. Sarah looked about the same age as her grandmother when Steve left her to go and fight in the fields with the Howling Commandos. He also remembered the many letters that he wrote to her as well the teasing comments that he got from the fellas when they thought that he got a gal back at home.

They weren’t wrong.

“Hi.” Steve said to the little and she only smiled shyly and gave him a little wave.

“Hello.” She managed out and looks back at her grandmother to whisper her something by her ear.

“He’s your brother?”

Y/N smile. “Yes.”

“But why isn’t he old like you?” Sarah whispered again and Y/N only chuckles at her granddaughter’s question. And judging by Steve’s amused look. He definitely heard his grand-niece and wasn’t bothered by the question.

“It’s a long story, Sarah.” Y/N said. “But for now, why don’t you go and see if Helen needs help in the kitchen.”

“Okay, Granny.” Sarah then jumps down from the bed and runs out of the room.

Y/N and Steve both smiled at the child’s behavior

“A lot like me isn’t she?” Y/N said.

Steve held back a laugh. “Scary.” And they both laughed.

They both had a lot of time in the room. Catching up the times that Steve had missed. And occasionally he would tell him a bit of his time in the fields and stories about his war pals. Y/N even told him about the ridiculous behavior his Howling Commandos had whenever she would go on a date with a boy. Steve didn’t whether to laugh or be proud by the job that his commandoes filled in when he wasn't there to be the overprotective brother like should’ve been.

And what’s more touching is that Y/N had asked Steve to go to her bookshelf and take out a book. Before he could ask which one, his eyes landed on one peculiar one. ‘The Hobbit’. Her favorite bedtime story. He then vaguely remembers about what he said on the Valkyrie. ‘Tell her I’ll read her her favorite when I come home.’ which was the book he was holding now. He looks at her with tears and she just nodded. So Steve got comfortable beside her bed and began to read the first chapter.

He tried everything in his power to remember the smile as Y/N laughed and talked about how iconic the book had become and how Sarah was also an admirer of the novel. Not wanting to forget it until the time of her lifespan was suddenly gone. And when it did. He almost forgot it. After the Chitauri war in New York. Y/N’s heart just gave up, during the day before she could even take her afternoon nap. The funeral was lovely, and shockingly, Tony Stark appeared beside the family. As his title as the godson of one of SHIELD’s greatest agents in history.

Steve was still surprised that Howard made Y/N the godmother of Tony. When they met at the Hellcarrier, Tony did mention that Y/N, along with his mother, were the only ones that gave actually damn about him instead of his own father. Who would bragged to him about how ‘great’ Steve Rogers was.

But it didn’t matter. What only matters now, was to give a eulogy as Y/N written in her recent will.

The church was filled with old veterans, retired agents, as well as other people who had their hearts touched by Y/N. Peggy would’ve been there too if it weren’t for her alzheimer’s.

After Steve was done, the priest asked if there was anyone that would like to say a few words.

Surprisingly, Tony stood up and brought out a small folded paper from his pocket. When he got behind the podium. He cleared his throat.

“Hi, I’m Tony.” He started off. “I’m Y/N’s Godson-Well. . . was.” He faltered.

“Growing up, my father became the person he was ‘till he dying breath. A failure of a father.”

Steve grimaced at the words. He was certain that Howard would someday change but failed to acknowledge how good of a father Howard would become. Tony became that living result.

“Despite being a genius. I still have trouble coping with the world. My father was too busy to acknowledge the importance of teaching me how to catch, how to talk to girls, and most of all, how to be a human being. Y/N Rogers had the interest to fill in that role.”

Though no one could see, behind the podium Tony had his hand clutched tightly into a fist to maintain himself.

"She made me the person I am today. She is the quarter of why I shut down the weapons manufacturing division from my company. And she was. . . she was human. And I guess that's the only way that you can describe Y/N. She was human. And she was loved. I guess we can never stop loving someone who had left an incredible mark in someone else's life. And I know that she wouldn't want me to stop caring the world, otherwise, I know that she would kill me if I did."

A few chuckles were heard around the church. Even Steve managed to smile at the comment. But a few silent sobs were heard from the back of the room.

“Y/N, we’ll miss you. . . I’ll miss you.” Tony had a slightly lost look on his face for a second and then clears his throat. “Thank you.”

With that, Tony got off the stage and went back to his seat beside Sarah and Steve.

“Thank you.” Steve said solemnly and quietly to him.

“Thought I should get it over it,” Tony said. “I would’ve regretted it if I didn’t.”

“She would be proud of you.” Steve added.

“She is.” A small voice interrupted them and they both look down at the child sitting between them. “She told me so.”

Tony blinks at the girl then stares off back to the casket. “Thanks, kid.”

“Your welcome Uncle Tony.”

Tony would’ve normally told Sarah to not to call him ‘Uncle Tony’. But just for today, he let it slide.

Once the service was done. Everyone stood up and waited for Steve and the other veterans who were picked to be the pallbearers carried the casket out of the church and the crowd followed behind them in a slow marching pace. All the way to the large burial ground behind the church.

When they set the casket inside the large hole, white roses were passed to everyone. And one by one, they dropped it on top of the casket while whispering their final goodbyes.

The last to place their rose was Steve. And when he let go of the rose into the hole. Everyone was beginning to leave. And as the time passed, the only ones who were left standing by the now finished grave, was Steve, Sarah, Tony, and Helen.

Helen was only there mostly for Sarah’s benefit. She had grown very close to the young child that she didn’t have the heart to leave her alone with Steve.

Beside her, Helen decides to break the ice and started whispering a certain situation with Tony.

“You know, lawfully speaking since you are Sarah’s godfather. There’s a possibility that she could be wind up being in under your care.”

It was true. Since Tony and Dahlia had known each other from Y/N. Dahlia made Tony the godfather of her only child. Knowing that even before he was Iron Man and his conscience had finally kicked in. She trusted Tony enough to be the godfather. Much to her husband’s dismay.

Not paying attention to the whispers behind him. Steve suddenly felt a small human hand enclosing itself with his own. He looks down and sees Sarah looking up at him. Sending him a small smile, trying to comfort him in the best way she can.

“We should probably go. Granny doesn’t like it if anyone stays in the cold too much. You could get sick.”

It had begun to get cold. The clouds in the sky indicated that it was going to rain soon and the winds brushing against them was getting colder by the minute they stood there.

So with an exhaled breath, Steve nods at his niece’s small proclaim before clearing his throat. “Okay, let’s go.” He gave her a somewhat convincing smile and gently firmed his grip on to her hand. Carefully not to hurt it and they began to walk away from the gravestone. Mentioning Helen to follow them since she was their ride.

Tony watches as Steve helps Sarah into Helen’s car. Helen’s words were repeating in his head.

Under your care.

“No,” Tony thoughts. “They need each other. . . it’s what she would’ve wanted it.”

And it was indeed.

=============================================================

Hey! So I hope you like the story. And just to let you know, I’m thinking of making it into a Wattpad fanfic book. So let me know on the comments below. And I will try my best to upload it as soon as possible. And of course, there will be a pairing but it’s going to be a very slow-burn pairing between Sarah and a certain hero in blue spandex.

Thank you for taking your time to read my imagine and my message.

Mahal kita!!!!!

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her-culture · 6 years

Text

Experiencing Gender Neutral Parenting since 1988

POOJA BANERJEE

Being born as a woman in a patriarchal society is always challenging. A well-behaved daughter, an accommodating sister and a good wife are projects like expectations that pursue to create your culturally accepted image. However, my case was different. I am the only child of my parents and the eldest grandchild of the family. My mother was merely 21 years old when she gave birth to me. Like any other young and inexperienced mother, she had no idea how to raise a child, let alone a daughter. Her naïve nature was the result of her early marriage at the age of 19, and the incessant reminder by the consanguineal family of her duties as a woman.

Luckily, she was married to a man who became her best friend, and did not pressure her to bear a son. My paternal family is a unique bunch of people in India. They love daughters. Period. This phenomenon began with my grandmother’s constant prayer to have a granddaughter instead of a grandson because she was tired after raising two sons for almost 26 years. Her expectation from a granddaughter was someone who would become her best friend. And that is exactly what I was for her. Discussing infatuations, boyfriends, heartbreaks, vacation stories, translating Hollywood comedies (from English to Bengali) and most importantly playing Ludo with her were few of our favorite past times. She was my 4 am soulmate - the coolest grandmother in the melodramatic Indian habitat.

Anyhow, as I had said earlier, my mother was a young, inexperienced and simple woman who had no idea what to do with her child, other than raising her. Since the day I recognized her existence in my life, I have always looked at her as a disciplinarian. She nurtured me to become a pragmatic, dedicated and determined adult. Each time, someone questioned her decision of not procreating again (they just wanted her to have a son who can take care of her and baba), her reply was simple “daughter/ son doesn’t matter, my child will lead her life the way she wants to”. Having said that, my mother did have crucial conversations with me such as what’s it like to be a girl or a woman. Her encouragement (sometimes overwhelming) to dress up like a girl, take pride in my sex, and to ensure I was aware that nothing is impossible to achieve, just because I am a girl is still in continuity. But, sometimes I wonder, would it have been possible without the reinforcement of the same ideas by my paternal family, especially my father? “She is not our son; she is our daughter” was one of the strongest phrases that I hear even today when someone questions them about their decision of having a single girl child.

Reminiscing about these few moments, I feel how vital it is for parents to accept their child’s sex gracefully, and provide him/ her with a choice to have an opinion about oneself as an adult. We still live in a society where every human is consciously reminded of how to behave in a social setting. My parents are different. Their inadvertent practice of gender-neutral parenting made me an independent, intuitive and strong-willed individual. Yet, society did make them question their decisions as a parent of a girl. It encouraged them to remind me of my perfect age of marriage since the day I turned 25. The serious discussion on how I need a life partner who can support me, and assure me of a happy ending was a vital part of regular evening tea talks. In the last few years, I have been flabbergasted by my parents’ stressful conversations about how their daughter is refusing to ‘settle down’, and is being a deviant girl. However, simultaneously, they also ensured that I continue my aspiration to become one of the finest development professionals (single woman still). They did not question my decision to fly to New York for my third masters or continue living in a foreign land. Trust me, when I say this - experiencing the unpredictable nature of your parents is humorous and not shocking.

Yes, I wouldn’t have been able to take some uncommon decisions as a development professional if they did not support my ambitions. I wouldn’t have been able to become a car mechanic when required if they did not inform me the importance of self-reliance. I wouldn’t have been able to be a solo traveler if they did not tell me the art of having fun while being a vigilant wanderer. And, I wouldn’t have been able to fight my own parents on several occasions if they did not teach me the motto of life-fight for your happiness. They imparted knowledge and skills necessary for any human to survive and thrive on this planet. Yet, they did stagger when they were tired of fighting the common cultural norms. On the one hand from visiting astrologers to matchmakers in order to find me a perfect soul mate; to the other extreme of singing out loud my achievements as a woman on social networks and tea parties, their parenting style has always kept me confused. This dual nature of parenting makes me question - was I raised in an authentic gender-neutral home? Or was my upbringing the result of their conscious efforts to provide their child with a healthy and encouraging environment that they missed growing up in?

This article was published on the HerCulture blog. If you would like to submit an article, head on over to HerCulture to learn more about our writers and our magzine. Additionally, check out our social media (twitter, instagram, facebook, and tumblr!), our handles are herculture. Give this post a like and make sure you follow us on any of our accounts. By the end December, we would like to reach our goal of 400 people on this tumblr account!

Start a culture revolution!

x Likhita

#race and gender #genderneutral #equality #parenting #article #culturerevolution #blog

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aomoviegeek · 6 years

Text

Why are filmmakers and fans more concerned with plot twists over quality stories?

This is gonna be a long post, so get ready.

Let’s look at Star Wars. Personally, I really enjoyed The Force Awakens and Rogue One. I thought they were some great, fun movies with a lot of action, humor, drama, etc. in them. I thought the actors & actresses were great. The musical score was amazing. Rogue One also did a fantastic job at tying the prequels and originals together, bringing in Darth Vader, Princess Leia, Bail Organa, Grand Moff Tarkin, Mon Mothma and, although he was a Clone Wars character, Saw Gerrera.

I thought both stories were well done and even though it seemed odd regarding the Skywalker/Solo family (Luke running away, Han & Leia separating and Kylo Ren turning to the dark side & idolizing his grandfather Darth Vader), I thought there was potential to expand upon it in Episode VIII and IX and give a realistic-enough explanation as to how these characters ended up where they were as well as find a way to include Rey in there, potentially as the secret daughter of either Luke or Han & Leia.

However, I am not a fan of The Last Jedi. I didn’t like it. And before you go off and say “Well that’s only because your favorite fan theories didn’t come true” or whatever bulls--t is said to TLJ haters, no, that’s not the case. There’s a lot of different reasons to dislike the film. All these different plot twists and surprises, most of which are completely unnecessary and they even destroy the characters we love from the original trilogy and The Force Awakens.

For example, they had Luke Skywalker - a Jedi Master who was the only one to believe there was still good in his Sith Lord father despite everything that’s happened in the original trilogy - try to murder his nephew because he could sense darkness in him but he wasn’t even fully dark yet. Luke could have tried to save him somehow. Maybe kill Snoke instead? After all, he was the one seducing Kylo to the dark side. Maybe bring Han & Leia over to spend more time with Kylo (since it’s been said Kylo feel neglected by his parents)? Maybe try to get in contact with Anakin’s Force Ghost so he can talk with Kylo (after all, Kylo idolizes his grandfather)?

But what they did was absolutely stupid and an absolute disgrace to Luke’s character. Not to mention what a horrible plot twist it was. Why are filmmakers and fans so much more interested in plot twists and surprises than good, quality stories? Why? Why? WHY?!!!

Star Wars fans are usually like “Well I don’t want Rey to be a Skywalker because it’s so boring and predictable! I want her to be related to this character because it’d be so surprising!”, “I don’t want Snoke to be revealed as some other character because it’d be so dumb! He should be his own character!”, etc. But why are these fans - and the filmmakers as well (e.g. Rian Johnson) - so interested in plot twists and big surprises? Why can’t we focus on good stories?

If you ask me, had Rey been revealed as a Skywalker or a Solo instead, I think that would have made a terrific story and a great way to push forward the story of the sequel trilogy. It would mean she is the granddaughter of Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader. She now knows why she is so powerful. She was destined to learn the ways of the Force. Not only that, but if she was Rey Skywalker (daughter of Luke), it would create an interesting, emotional, heartwarming story-arc for Luke & Rey as father and daughter would reunite. The same would also apply for Rey Solo, the daughter of Han & Leia. Rey’s grief over Han’s death would increase, knowing he was in fact her father, and we also would have gotten to see a heartwarming mother/daughter reunion between her and Leia.

It would also create an interesting story-arc for Kylo Ren as Rey would be his cousin or sister and as a matter of fact, her being left on Jakku may somehow be connected to how he turned to the dark side. Maybe he felt guilty for what happened to her (thinking she was dead) and blamed Luke, Leia, Han and himself. Snoke used this pain within Kylo to manipulate him and turn him to the dark side. And when watching The Force Awakens, it definitely seems that Kylo has a familial connection with Rey. He Force-chokes a First Order officer when he brings up how a girl helped Finn and BB-8 escape Jakku (”What girl?!”), he took his helmet off for both Rey & Han and he noticed how strong she is with the Force, as strong as he is if not stronger. In The Force Awakens novelization, when Rey picked up the Skywalker lightsaber from the snow, Kylo looked at her and said “It is you”, so it seems he had come to the realization that this girl in front of him was in fact his long-lost cousin or sister. He even offers to teach her the ways of the Force during their duel. He wants the other grandchild of Darth Vader by his side to rule the galaxy. Just like how Vader wanted Luke (and later on, Leia in ROTJ) by his side to rule the galaxy.

And there was also potential to create a story-arc for Snoke that would connect him to the Skywalkers somehow. My personal favorite theory is (or rather was) that he is Darth Plagueis and the creator/”father” of Anakin. There’s already some pre-sequel trilogy information about him in that scene in Revenge of the Sith where Palpatine and Anakin are talking about him. It’s said that he was able to use the Force to create life and it’s even hinted that Anakin’s miraculous birth could have been caused by Plagueis. Maybe Plagueis used the Force and impregnated Anakin’s mother in an attempt to create the Chosen One himself. Then when the time came, the Chosen One would be found and Plagueis could seduce him to the dark side, making him a very powerful and very worthy Sith apprentice. It’s possible he may have even wanted to treat Anakin as his own son since he technically did create him.

But of course Palpatine had different plans and decided to seduce Anakin himself. So he killed Plagueis. Or did he? Perhaps Plagueis successfully faked his death and watched over Anakin/Vader, watching the rise and fall of the Empire and then once Anakin redeemed himself to save Luke and died, Plagueis saw it as an opportunity to come out of hiding and recreate the Empire as the First Order. If Plagueis wanted to treat Anakin as his son as much as he wanted him as his apprentice, then it makes sense: Plagueis/Snoke did it all for Vader. He did it for his creation/“son”. The Imperial officers, Stormtroopers, etc. He even seduced Vader’s grandson to the dark side and made him his apprentice. He created the First Order in Vader’s memory to finish what he started and rule the galaxy.

Then it would have all came full circle: Anakin Skywalker’s family (Luke, Rey, Kylo & Leia) had to face off against his creator/”father” and finally bring balance to the Force. You might not agree, but I think that would have made a terrific story. A great way to tie together the originals, prequels and sequels and a great way to end the Skywalker Saga so that Disney and Lucasfilm can make new stories about new characters. Three trilogies about the Skywalker family. A beginning, a middle and an end. Then it’s over. Time for new characters and new adventures in the galaxy to explore.

But unfortunately, that never happened. Instead, we got what The Last Jedi gave us. A bunch of unnecessary plot twists and surprises (some of which ruin the characters of both the original and new trilogies), the Skywalker bloodline is pretty much dead; the only survivor of the bloodline being Kylo Ren who turned to the dark side for pretty much no reason other than disliking everyone in his family besides his grandfather. Oh, and because Luke suddenly decided to kill him even though he didn’t do anything wrong yet and there were in fact ways to save him.

The characters were ruined, the Skywalker legacy has been destroyed, Snoke died without us finding out his backstory, Rey’s parents are nobodies (and we don’t even get a good enough explanation about them; it wasn’t something like “Your parents were students of Luke’s Jedi academy. The First Order attacked them and they left you on Jakku to keep you safe. They were going to come back for you, but they were killed in the fight before they could”. Instead, it was “Your parents were junk dealers who sold you for drinking money.”) And the new characters didn’t even stay there too long. DJ turned out to be a traitor and we’ll probably never see him again. Admiral Holdo (who was completely unlike-able during the entire film) sacrificed herself, so we’ll most likely never see her again. And Rose, well... if you’re gonna get rid of 2 of the 3 new characters, you might as well get rid of the other one.

And that last scene with the little boy playing with a broom and looking at the stars. WTF?! What is the point of that scene? Is that little boy going to be in Rian Johnson’s new trilogy? Is he supposed to represent the younger Star Wars fans who use toys, brooms, etc. and pretend they’re lightsabers? Is he supposed to represent that whole message people are passing along saying “Anyone can use the Force, anyone can become a Jedi or a Sith” (even though half of the people in the galaxy are actually NOT Force-sensitive and therefore they cannot become Jedis or Siths if they wanted to).

And besides that, if you really want a Force-sensitive hero who isn’t a Skywalker, there’s always Finn. Yes, it’s been hinted in The Force Awakens that Finn is in fact Force-sensitive and if he & Rey got together, they would not only make such an amazing couple but also a very powerful couple. Plus, if Rey was a Skywalker or a Solo, Finn could have married Rey and adopted one of the two surnames. Finn & Rey Skywalker or Finn & Rey Solo. So there you have it.

All these stupid plot twists and everything, all this unnecessary filler, etc. I’m sorry, I just really needed to get it all out of the way. They had a lot of potential with this movie and this whole trilogy. But they threw it all away. The Last Jedi was not worth the two years of fans arguing with each other over Rey’s parentage, Snoke’s identity, etc. It really wasn’t. It’s the worst Star Wars movie ever in my opinion. And it’s also sad that people don’t even care about good, quality stories anymore. They don’t wanna go into the movies and watch a heartwarming parent/child reunion or a well-written explanation as to why a specific character is on a specific side of the fight. They just want plot twists, surprises, etc. To them, it doesn’t matter if it changes the entire story for the worse. As long as their jaw drops, that’s all that matters to them.

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writesao3-blog · 7 years

Text

SQW Day 3 “GRANDmothers”

Nothing made Regina happier these days than spending time with her Grandbaby. “FFUU-OWIE!” and of course her big baby Emma Swan. All she was missing was her Little Prince though with a daughter of his own she supposes that he isn’t quite that little anymore. That particular thought always brings her to tears so she quickly tries to distract herself.

“What happened, Darling?”

“Got a da-ng splinter from the bench again.” Failing at hiding her amusement from Emma’s knowing gaze leads her to let a chuckle to escape. “It’s not funny. The kid barely talks as it is, why do I gotta censor myself?”

“Children her age are like sponges, they soak up everything as Henry and I have both told you repeatedly.”

“Yeah yeah, I know but still. Out of all the words we say what’s the likelihood of her picking up on the couple bad ones I happen to mutter?”

“Couple? Mutter? Dear, you swear like a sailor and it’s always ‘loud and proud’.”

“Damn straight!”

“Emma!”

“Sorry.” The brunette sighs knowing the blonde really was trying to curb her bad habit, having already caught her more than once catching and correcting herself when alone (or at least thought to be). Her phone begins to ring and she immediately knows it's Henry, she’s nowhere near ready for their time with the baby to be over with but when her Little Prince was a baby she could never bear to part from him for long either.

She takes a deep breath and answers without even looking at the I.D. “Hello, Henry.” Out of the corner of her eye she sees Emma shake her head at her and turn to talk with their Little Princess. “We’re just about to grab some icecream,” somehow she manages not to laugh at how quick the blonde’s head whipped around to face her again at the mention of the frozen treat, “we’ll walk down to the pier to eat them so you can pick her up there if that’s no trouble.” At their son’s approval she gives her farewell and waits for him to hang-up first, just as she always has.

“I still have no idea how you do that.” Emma says, after they’ve picked themselves up and started to head over to get ice cream.

“Do what, Darling?”

“Always know when it’s Henry who's calling you, it’s not like you have any specific ringtones. I’ve witnessed you back in your busy Madam Mayor days when you’d receive at least one call from just about everyone in town and still automatically know when it was him.”

“I don’t know how I know that it’s him. I can just feel it, it’s the same way with you too.” She was too proud to say out loud, that the feeling was of home and warmth but at her lover’s “Awwwe” she knew that she understood what wasn’t said. “I can also tell when it’s your mother as i’m immediately filled with dread,” she couldn't help but smirk at Emma’s “that’s not funny” look, “it’s why I never answer when she calls.”

“Regina!”

________________________________________________________________

After they had gotten their ice cream they started towards the pier, walking and enjoying their treats. Regina with her small sized, vanilla and chocolate swirl, baby sized strawberry in a dish (“Babe, you know just cuz it’s fruit flavored doesn’t make it healthier, right?”) for their grandkid, and Emma with her extra large chocolate.

“Did you really need that much?”

“Are you calling me fat?”

“Absolutely not but I’m greatly implying that you still eat like a child.” As the blonde was about to banter back, she tripped and her dessert went flying.

“SHIT!”

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah just tripped.” The ex Sheriff’s lip wobbled, looking back and forth between her ruined ice cream and her girlfriend.

“We don’t have time to go back and get you another one.” Emma pouted at the news, and reached for Regina’s cone, “Absolutely not” the brunette jerked back to protect her treat.

“Buuuuuuuut Giiiinnnnaaaaa!”

“NO!”

Emma turned towards the toddler, “Your Nana is a big meanie. Tell her sharing is caring!” Regina rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the affection she felt for her childish lover.

“Shhh” came the noise from their Little Princess.

The brunette let out a chuckle, “See, Dear? Even she wants you to be quiet.”

“Shit!” Both adults froze where they were, hoping they heard wrong. “Shit!” A tiny giggle rang out. “Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit!” The grandmothers grew incredibly pale as they couldn’t deny what they both heard repeatedly and clear as day.

“Regina, I’m so so-”

“Emma Swan I am going to kill you!”

“Shit!” Both women flinched at the expletive falling from the young girls’ mouth.

“I can fix this! No problem just gotta- Regina?” A choked sob sounded from the older woman. “Babe?”

“Shit!” The Queen couldn’t hold back her tears and began to cry as her breathing increased. Emma had learned how to help and support her lover during panic attacks she had over the years and thus grabbed onto her hands and began to breath deeply while maintaining eye contact. It took nearly ten minutes for Regina to calm her breathing as each “Shit!” knocked back her progress.

“What happened, Regina? I know it’s more than just her picking up on a swear.”

“What if he never lets us see her again?” She practically whispered her anguish.

“What?”

“Henry! What if he doesn’t let us see her because of this!”

“Shit!” both women winced.

“Uh one second.” Emma grabbed the purple sippy cup decorated with crowns, and handed it to the toddler in hopes of distracting her. The little girl took it and began happily drinking unaware of the situation and her grandmothers’ relief of her brief respite from the new addition to her vocabulary. “He wouldn't do that. He wouldn’t be happy with me but he wouldn't take her away just because of a silly mistake.”

“Silly? A silly mistake? What part of this is silly to you, Emma? Our Grandchild is on the path to delinquency and you call it ‘silly’!?”

“Sweetheart, I know you’re upset but I think that’s a bit extreme. She isn’t the first kid to pick up on a bad word and it won’t destroy her future.” The brunette took a deep breath to center herself.

“I know. I’m just so worried.” The savior cupped her girlfriend’s face, wiping the wetness away with her thumbs.

“About what?” The blonde whispered.

“Henry doesn’t need me anymore. He’s all grown up and has his own family now. He doesn’t need his mother.”

“Regina, he will always need you, that I know with all my heart. Just because he doesn’t need you to cook his meals, tuck him in, and kiss his booboos doesn’t mean he doesn’t need you. He will always love you, you will always be his mom and nothing can erase that.”

“Shit!”

“Though if it makes you feel better we can try to fix this?”

“How? Seems like she found her new favorite word.”

“We just gotta distract her and find a new word that she’ll take to and soon she’ll forget all about this one.”

“Shit!”

“Gods I hope you’re right.”

________________________________________________________________

The rest of the walk was filled with trepidation as they drew nearer to meeting up with their son to return his daughter. The ex mayor focusing on her breathing and her lover’s words of encouragement and love, while the younger woman focused on getting their granddaughter hooked on a new, “child friendly” word.

“Shit.”

“Well she doesn’t seem as enthusiastic about it as she was before so that’s something.” .

“Dear, this isn’t working. What are we gonna do?”

“The only thing we can do,” The blonde sighed out “tell him the truth.”

The last few minutes of their journey was a quiet affair other than the occasional “shit”. Looking ahead, they could make out their grown son’s profile even with his back turned to them as he overlooked the water and docks. To Regina, it felt as if she were walking towards her judgement day, the final deciding factor to see if the good she accomplished later in her life made up for the despicable acts she committed.

“Hey, Kid!” The young man turned around, a smile lighting up his face at the sight of his mothers’ and Little Princess.

“Hey, Ma! Hi, Mom!

“Hello, my Little Prince.”

“Watchya looking at, Kid?”

“Just admiring the water and the ships.”

“You’ve always loved looking at the ships.”

“Probably stemmed from my time aboard an actual pirate ship.” He chuckled.

“Ugh, don’t remind me, Kid.”

“Uh, Henry Dear there’s something that your mother and I would like to tell you.” The Queen figured it was best to just get it out of the way and have them tell him over hearing it from the source without any warning.

“What’s up, Mom?”

“Well you see, it’s a funny story actually.” Emma jumped in, seeing how it was her fault she should be the one to tell him.

“Shhhhh” ‘Oh Gods no!’ Both Grandmother’s minds yelled out.

Henry knelt down next to his little girl. “What is it baby? You got something to say?”

“Uh, well Hen you see-”

“Ship!” Once more both women were frozen, holding their breaths and praying they heard correctly. “Ship!”

“That’s right, Princess!” Henry beamed as he lifted her up and settled her on his hip. “Those are ships!” He felt so proud of her as he pointed over to the boats.

“Ship! Ship! Ship! Ship!” Emma let out the breath she had been holding as Regina promptly fainted, luckily right into her Savior’s arms.

“MOM!?”

“She’s fine, Kid. It’s just been a terribly exciting day and I think it wore your mother down. Just give her a minute.” Picking her up bridal style, she carried her passed out girlfriend to a nearby bench as their son and granddaughter continued to look over at the boats and the sea. Soon enough the brunette opened her eyes and took a moment to gather herself.

“What happened?”

“You fainted.” At Regina’s confused look she elaborated, “The Little Princess switched up her favorite word just in the nick of time and I think you just got too overwhelmed. The brunette immediately relaxed and thanked the heavens for their luck.

“Emma.”

“Yeah?”

“If you ever cuss in front of her again, I’m gonna cut out your tongue.” Emma took a few moments to process the threat then nodded her head.

“That’s fair.”

BONUS:

A few days later, saw Regina and Henry preparing dinner as the toddler sat in her highchair and munched on some tiny pieces of watermelon. Working perfectly in sync, the two brunettes practically danced around the kitchen in their element, reminiscing over memories of cooking lessons. They were laughing over all the food he had managed to burn, when it happened. Watermelon falling to the floor as the little girl became too playful with her food.

Looking over the side of her chair she said the one thing Regina had hoped she’d never hear coming from her mouth ever again. “Shit!” The Grandmother’s mouth dropped open and became completely speechless as her eyes flickered between her son and grandbaby.

Henry’s cheeks turned pink as he took on a sheepish demeanor and started rubbing the back of his neck. “Oops?”

Flabbergasted over his lack of surprise and response had her unable to say anything other than repeat his last word. “Oops?”

“Uh yeah,” He let out a nervous chuckle “about a week ago I stubbed my toe. I guess some of Ma’s bad habit wore off on me as I accidently let loose the s-word. Little miss sponge over here” tickling the little girls feet had her giggling and helped him relax a little before continuing, “soaked it up and now won’t let it go. I don’t know what to do” his shoulder’s slump in resignation “Do you think- Does this make me a bad father?”

Seeing her little boy like this, stuck her to the core. How could her wonderfully perfect boy ever think he could even possibly be a bad parent? “Of course not, Little Prince!” She spoke vehemently. “She’s not the first child to pick up on a bad word. It’ll take time but she will forget it.”

“So, I’m really not a bad father for having this happen?”

“Not at all, after all it was just a silly little mistake.”

“Thanks, Mom” He smiled knowing his mother would always be there for him.

“So uh, Henry you said this happened last week?”

“Yeah.”

“Before your other mother and I last spent some time with her, when we went for that walk?”

“Uh..yeah, why?”

“No reason.” She said quickly and spun back around to continue working on dinner.

#swanqueenweek #swan queen week #sqw 9 #swanqueen #swen

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the-kryomancer · 7 years

Text

Who's Who in the Shimada-McCree Family

A/N: This is the family for my McHanzo domestic AU, I’m writing it along with a lot of other things. Please ask about the fam. They’re precious.

Hanzo:

The “strict” father.

Goes to all of his kids’ extra curricular activities.

Wakes the kids up for school.

“Yes, Weston. You need to go to school today.”

Is a big softie for Hatsu and Eiji.

Does most of the cooking.

Always worries about the kids when he’s away on missions.

Gives the older kids life advice.

Has all of their awards and certificates in a trophy case or hanging on the wall.

Lowkey brags about his kids.

Loves when his kids ask if they can meditate with him.

Makes the whole family go on yearly trips to Hanamura.

Loves taking the kids on camping trips.

He’s usually the only one actually getting the items on the grocery list.

“No, Jesse. We don’t need… denim scented candles?”

“Weston don’t climb that!!”

“Ana, Dominic. Where’s Eiji and Hatsu?”

Forces Jesse to come to all of the parent-teacher conferences.

Isn’t mad, just disappointed.

Encourages his kids to achieve their dreams.

Has to defuse any and all fights between Dominic and Ana.

Hates when the kids fight with each other.

Jesse:

Let’s his kids get away with just about everything.

Sneaks them candy before dinner.

And after.

Let’s them stay up late.

Even on school nights.

Makes breakfast while Hanzo wakes the kids.

Also makes their lunches.

Bakes a ton of sweets for the school bake sale.

Likes to flirt with the moms on the PTA to mess with Hanzo.

Hates going to parent-teacher conferences.

Probably tried to bribe the teachers to pass his kids at least once.

Isn’t disappointed, just mad.

When he’s away on a mission he calls the house every chance he gets.

“You kiddos okay?”

“Yes, dad. Same as when you called ten minutes ago.”

Best cuddles when it’s cold in the house.

Likes it when the whole family is snuggled up on the couch.

Always let’s any of the kids sleep in bed with him and Hanzo if they can’t get to sleep.

Gets everyone in the family hats and serapes matching his.

Along with the kids, begs Hanzo to let them get a pet.

Teaches the kids how to shoot a gun.

Always takes them to visit Reinpa and Grandma Amari and Grandpa Gabe.

Isn’t allowed to be alone with the younger kids for more than a few hours.

Reinhardt:

The fun grandparent.

“Reinpa” because his name was too hard to pronounce for the little ones.

Teaches Ana, Dominic, and Weston how to speak German.

Loves taking them to visit Germany.

Always bringing them stuff back from his travels.

Is a big teddy bear.

Always has at least one grandchild with him while he’s visiting.

Picks up the kids and puts them on his shoulders.

Let’s them climb him.

“Rein, be careful hE MIGHT FALL”

But seriously, will dote on his grandkids cause he’s a concerned Reinpa.

Highkey brags about them to anyone he meets.

Has pictures of them in his wallet.

Brings them sweets from Germany.

Ana Amari:

She’s the best at getting the kids to behave.

Is always able to get them to bed.

She secretly sleep darts them.

Loves taking Ana and Dominic to Egypt.

Teaches them Arabic if they want.

Cried when she heard her oldest granddaughter was being named Ana.

Loves being with the youngest ones.

Somehow manages to know when one or more of the kids is sick???

Makes the best tea and chicken noodle soup.

Is the go-to babysitter though.

Will drop everything to be with her grandkids.

Goes to every event for the kids.

Lowkey wants to take them home with her.

Teaches Dominic and Ana how to use a sniper rifle.

Goes to all of Dominic’s concerts.

Supports her grandkids.

Is the best grandma.

Genji:

Let’s Hatsu and Eiji play with his dragon.

Speaks to them in Japanese so they know their native tongue better.

Let’s Weston use his sword.

Gets in trouble for letting his nephew use his sword.

Insists he doesn’t have a favorite.

He does.

It’s Weston.

Loves to make them his favorite Japanese meals.

Loves to babysit his nieces and nephews.

Encourages Dominic to choose his own path.

Literally encourages him to rebel against Hanzo.

Is Hatsu and Eiji’s nightlight though.

But the kids refuse to hug him in the winter because he’s so cold.

Except for Hatsu.

She loves cold.

Highkey tried to take one of them home with him one time.

Hanzo and Jesse noticed two hours later that Weston was missing.

He takes them to the arcades all the time though.

Is the best as claw machines.

Wins Hatsu and Eiji whatever they want.

Tried to give Dominic Sake once.

If he heard Dominic or Ana has a date, lowkey follows them.

They still know he was following them.

Is jealous when one of the kids says Hanzo’s cooking is better.

Mercy:

Has known just about all of the kids since birth.

Was the pediatrician for all of them.

Still is for Hatsu and Eiji.

Literally is always doting over Weston.

Calls the house every week to see how Weston’s genetic therapy is going.

Makes sure all of the kids are eating healthy.

Has and will call one of the older kids out on their shit if they make her mad enough.

Is usually fairly patient though.

Gives extremely good advice.

Always gives them Swiss chocolate.

Helps Ana through her female problems since her house is full of males and the only other female is Hatsu who is five.

Sometimes stays the night if Weston is having a problem with his dyslexia and can’t do his homework.

Helps Weston through his low points about himself.

She’s always there to give words of encouragement.

Answers any questions they may have about medicine or treatments if they are sick.

Will stay at the house the entire time one of the kids is sick if she feels she needs to.

“Angela, you don’t need to-”

“Jesse, I am staying. Eiji has the flu, he needs me.”

Loves to take Hatsu and Eiji to the park.

If Ana or Dominic is mad at the other or their parents she lets them stay with her.

Is like the mom for the kids.

But she’s their aunt.

Soldier 76:

“Grumpa”

Forgets their names half of the time

If he’s babysitting he’s either doing paperwork or sleeping.

Sometimes both.

Calls Weston “Mini McCree”

Fell asleep on the couch once.

He slept on the remote.

Gets Dominic and Weston confused sometimes.

Insists he’s the best grandfather though.

Lost Hatsu and Eiji at the mall once.

Everything is a challenge though.

Don’t let him get Christmas gifts.

He either wraps them in newspaper or doesn’t wrap them at all.

Lowkey loves his grandkids and brags about them to everyone.

Doesn’t let Gabriel or Jesse or Hanzo know he really does love the kids.

They do know.

Reaper:

Honestly, the best grandfather ever.

Takes his grandkids to the best restaurants.

Always insists he stay the night.

If he’s babysitting over night and Hatsu or Eiji wakes up from a nightmare he hums or sings to them.

Has conversations with Dominic in Spanish.

Loves to help the kids prank Jesse and Hanzo.

Took Eiji home with him once.

It was the best two hours of Eiji’s life.

He always manages to bring some kind of stuffed animal for Hatsu and Eiji.

He spoils his grandkids to death.

He bought them too many Christmas presents at one point.

He was put on a budget.

He could spend $300 on each kid.

He bought 600 stuffed animals from the dollar store, 300 for Eiji and 300 for Hatsu.

Makes all of the Halloween costumes for the kids.

Made matching costumes for everyone.

They were a Mariachi Band.

Always talks about how he’s the better cook.

Hanzo disagrees.

But Gabe makes all the traditional Mexican food for his grandkids.

Loves listening to Dominic’s music.

Sneaks so much candy to them.

They aren’t hungry by the time it’s dinner.

Loves to cuddle Hatsu and Eiji.

They’re always attached to his legs.

Gets the kids ice cream if they’re upset.

Has tons of pictures of his grandkids.

Shows everyone.

No matter where he’s at.

Ana Gabrielle:

The oldest kid.

Loves her siblings.

Sometimes not Dominic.

Loves her grandparents.

All of them.

You know how a lot of girls wanted to marry their fathers when they were young?

Ana wanted to marry her Aunt Mercy.

Lowkey loves rock music.

Highkey is obsessed with classical and instrumental music.

Loves animals.

Tried to bring a sloth home from the zoo.

Is secretly good at singing.

Meditates with Hanzo on a daily basis.

Honestly, has punched Dominic more than once.

Their fights get physical sometimes.

Ana is a badass though.

She secretly misses her mom.

Curses in Japanese when she’s frustrated.

Plays the piano and the drums.

Highkey loves spicy everything.

Is the best baker in the house, second to Jesse.

Halloween is her favorite holiday.

Insists she buys all of the Christmas presents by herself.

Makes Christmas dinner with Hanzo and Grandma Amari every year.

Stays up at night helping Weston with his homework.

Sleeps like four hours a night.

Help her.

But the biggest nerd ever.

Dominic:

Really sweet.

A hard ass.

But sweet.

Is closer to his Grandpa Gabe than anyone else.

Tells him everything.

Writes Spanish songs and plays them for his Grandpa Gabe.

Loves his Grandma’s tea.

Cranky if he doesn’t listen to music at least once a day.

Hates country music.

Obsessed with pens.

Has hundreds.

Prefers erasable ones.

Plays so many instruments.

RIP Hanzo and Jesse’s bank accounts.

Dyed his hair blue and green once.

Hanzo fainted.

Dominic regretted it.

Picture day was a week later.

Most Christmas spirit out of the whole family.

Sings Christmas songs every year.

Is the first person to wake up.

Buys the best Christmas presents.

Wants to be a musician.

Wants his own car.

Can barely afford his guitars.

Ditched school for his gigs.

Loves the rain.

Has run outside during a storm.

He got sick.

Loves to read books.

Fantasy specifically.

Weston:

Protect him.

Just wants to be happy.

Is really insecure about himself.

Loves his uncle Genji.

Steals Jesse’s hat a lot.

Likes to use his gun.

Eats fried chicken as a midnight snack.

Talks in his sleep a lot.

Shares a room with Dominic???

He likes to stay with his dads though.

Brags to Hanzo and his Uncle Genji that he has three dragons.

Thinks it’s funny to unleash them in school.

Loves playing video games.

Watches old west movies with Jesse a lot.

Likes to be called “Wild Weston”.

Hates the water.

Hates his dyslexia.

He loves his family a lot.

Loves being with his Grandma Amari and Grandfathers.

Doesn’t like it when his sister and brother fight.

Has fought a few kids at school though.

Sneaks cookies and brownies to school.

Eats ice cream for breakfast when his Grandpa Gabe is in charge.

Has a small crush on his aunt Fareeha.

Hatsu and Eiji:

Twins.

Hatsu is more outgoing then her brother.

They’re the babies of the family.

Get away with everything.

Love sugar.

Are very attached to their stuffed animals.

Practically share a room with their dads.

Eiji loves vanilla ice cream but Hatsu loves mint chocolate chip.

They hate pancakes but love waffles.

Christmas is their favorite holiday.

But they’re always the last ones awake.

Love school.

Have a lot of friends.

Loves to be with their Grandma Amari or their Grandpa Gabe.

Hatsu’s favorite color is blue while Eiji’s is orange.

Can’t sleep without a nightlight.

Love TV.

But they don’t watch it often.

Get tired really easily.

Hatsu is Hanzo’s favorite and Eiji is Jesse’s.

Are very creative.

Really energetic too.

Surprisingly love vegetables.

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mortedistelle · 7 years

Note

ULTRACREPIDARIAN

✵

SEND ME A WORD AND A CHARACTER/SERIES/PAIRING AND I WILL WRITE A DRABBLE:

ULTRACREPIDARIAN - Of one who speaks or offers opinions on matters beyond their knowledge.

@mageright ✵accepting !

“Anders,” comes the gentle intonation from a ragged voice softened with affection. He feels the pressure of strong fingers press to his shoulder and squeeze affectionately there, which he covers instinctively with his own. His hands almost feel shamefully unmarred where hers are gnarled, knuckles swollen with rheumatism, rough-hewn and dry from years of honest work. Steadfast. Assuring.

But he forgets the conceit when one of Rinna’s grandmother’s grizzled hands sets a steaming hot plate of her famous ossobucco before him, which she assumes is his favorite, because it is her favorite to make. It’s accompanied by a creamy risotto of wild mushrooms, which she is also especially proud of, and tells anyone in her vicinity (loudly) how it looks better than anything Giada di Laurentiis makes, especially if the aforementioned chef happens to be on the television, though that’s hardly a prerequisite to her get her to crowing.

Anders digs in with an appreciative grunt, a combination of polite enthusiasm, gratefulness for her hospitality, genuine hunger, and actual delight. She watches with circumspect glee, waiting until he’s nearly done to speak, to say her piece that she’s been biding her time to voice. And perhaps it’s still not the best time, but she’s impatient and unwilling to wait any longer, and doesn’t much care for the formality of ‘appropriate.’

“You like it, yes?” she asks, and he quite expectedly nods with an abject appreciation that nearly looks labored, mouth still stuffed with arborial rice and tender veal. She smiles her secret cat smile and reaches out to pat his hand, gripping his wrist half with affection and half with the intent of forcible detainment. “You know that I have always loved to cook, so my family, they grow up strong,” she says slowly, carefully enunciating in case her meaning is lost in the thick of her accent.

“I am so old now. Very old, you see,” she continues, leaning hard on every word, her tongue thick with emphasis. “And I would love my great-grandchildren, for them to taste my food. I can teach it. To you, maybe …..” She makes a vague iffy sort of gesture with her hand. “Rinnala, she is hopeless. I tell her to boil water for to make capellini, she will burn down my house and a storm will wash away the ashes, she is that cursed by God in the kitchen.” She stops to make the sign of the cross vigilantly. Twice. “I can teach you but …. is not same.”

Her hands spread in a gesture of hopelessness, broad shoulders shrug, and he knows he’s being laid into with some prime, bona fide Old World guilting. It’s fascinating, to witness how this web of hyperbole is woven about him in intricate measure, and his attention is rapt.

“My great-grandchildren, I would love to meet them,” she goes on, looking at him with mournful pleading in her eyes. “Before I die, you see.”

“Nonna, you have four great-grandchildren already—” Anders starts to point out.

She spits over her shoulder and regards him with disgust, as though it’s inconceivable that he should say such a repellent thing, as if he’s uttered the names of the Lords of Hell themselves. “Two born out of wedlock from Antonietta, another born with a devil’s mark on his shoulder, and the last one, I don’t like her father, he has a wandering eye,” she lists off dismissively. “They almost don’t count.” But the way she speaks of them, he knows they don’t.

“You know Rinnala, she is my favorite,” she goes on, enthusing, her voice softening with affection as she makes mention of her granddaughter’s name, and it’s the first thing he’s sure she means wholeheartedly. “And that you are the son I should have had, if I had not eaten the church’s blessed goat during the war when I was starving as a child, and then been cursed by God.” She makes another sign of the cross, this time lazily, a vague gesture that might have been a rude one if Anders wasn’t so sure that nonna wasn’t a good Catholic woman. “So your children would be my favorite, you understand?”

Her eyes brighten with a new thought. “Did you know I lived through a war?” she asks pleasantly.

“And that’s why we have to get pregnant right now,” Anders informs Rinna later that night, tears brimming in his eyes as he tugs off his shirt and crawls into bed next to her.

“No,” she says simply, putting her book on serial killers down and snapping it shut for emphasis.

“But she’s so old, Rinna!” Anders laments, looking at her with horror in his eyes, because how could she be so coldhearted? “What if! What if she dies soon?”

“She’s 62,” Rinna explains, frowning a little, like he’s daft. “She’s not that old.”

“What?”

She grins a little at how flabbergasted he looks. Almost a little betrayed. And it’s painfully cute. “Yeah.”

“But she looks—”

“Don’t drag my grandmother, Anders.”

“But no, seriously, she looks pretty, um … I thought ….”

“She’s had like ten kids, twelve pregnancies,” Rinna explains patiently, her arms already twining around his shoulder, her fingers raking pleasantly in his hair. Like she’s petting him. “She grew up in Tuscany. She was basically beef jerky for her entire childhood. Just, like, left out in the sun without supervision. She’s got bad skin. Let her live.”

“She wants grandkids though,” he reiterates, a little quietly, a little resignedly, as he sinks into her embrace, pushing his head into her indulgent kisses. “She flat out told me she wants great-grandkids from us. Before she dies. Which is so utterly depressing it’s hardly the encouragement she thinks it is. Like, I don’t want to think of your grandmother dying the next time we bang out.”

“Firstly, I will divorce you before we even get married if you think about my grandmother when we’re fucking,” she declares, a little brutally. She always gets punchy when she feels threatened by even the smallest thought of his wavering love. “She’s an Italian woman past menopause. Of course she wants great-grandchildren. That’s like her only occupation: begging for more kids in the family, like she doesn’t have—what is it? Like, almost thirty grandkids now?” She kisses him sweetly, almost apologetically, just in the hollow of his cheek. “She got you good, didn’t she?”

“Yeah.”

“You thinking about kids?”

“Maybe.”

“How about I kiss you a little,” she concedes reasonably. “And maybe if you’re feeling up to it, we can have like a practice run? Make sure when the day of reckoning comes, we put in our best effort. No fuck ups. Just pure unadulterated love banging, and we can tell the little goblin they were conceived at the emotional zenith of marital coitus.”

“You can say ‘lovemaking.’”

“Love banging.”

A little smile quirks at his lips just before he turns his head to kiss her back. It’s the only concession he grants, as he pulls the covers over their heads and allows her to continue the fervent and methodical application of her kisses.

“Can we name one ‘Charles?’” she asks, her voice pitched low against his skin as she kisses down the column of his throat.

He tenses in immediate irritation. “No.”

“’Charlene’ if it’s a girl?” she presses, her fingers plucking playfully at the drawstring of his pajama bottoms.

“Double no? And they all have to be girls.”

“Carlotta. It’s Italian.”

“That just sounds like a corpulent Carl.”

“I mean, they might be. Don’t judge our children before they’re born.”

“Don’t curse our children with my name, then.”

“Chas.”

“Alright.” And he’s turning away from her, curling up on his side to denote his displeasure, though his displeasure is alleviated by the charming palliative of a hundred kisses pressed to his crown, his forehead, his temples, his cheeks. He signals his forgiveness with a reach-around to paw at her backside, accompanied by a honking noise that she pokes him in the side for.

They don’t make a grandchild that night or the next, or even the night after that. But nearly a year and a half later, after 18 hours of blood (mostly Rinna’s), sweat (equal parts Rinna and Anders) and tears (all Anders), they hand her grandmother a fat little granddaughter, who she decides will be named Agnese (Rinna tugs at Anders’ sleeve and vehemently mouths ‘fuck no’ in a reckless pantomime), and asks gleefully after the afterbirth so that she may bury it. Anders and Rinna exchange uncomfortable glances, after which Anders plucks the little bundle of misery from her arms and wonders happily what a life he’s brought the little oyster into.

#mageright #✯: una risposta ( answered )#some fucking modern au #sidenote: she was never in a war but it makes for a compelling story when she's guilting #based on the terrible Charles headcanon #q

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